Campotosto dam 'closely monitored' (2)

(ANSA) - Rieti, January 23 - The Campotosto dam in Abruzzo is under observation after the recent seismic activity in the area but there is no reason for alarm, top emergency official Immacolata 'Titti' Postiglione said Monday.
    Postiglione, director of the emergencies department of the Civil Protection, added that the dam had already undergone assessments after the 2009 earthquake that killed over 300 people, devastating l'Aquila and surrounding towns and villages.
    "There is a procedure that requires checks after earthquakes, and this has occurred every time. The alarm generated after certain statements by the head of the Major Risks Commission reminds us that there is a problem and that we must continue to watch these critical spots," she said. She went on to note that "theoretically, if it had to be emptied immediately this would lead to major effects", but "as the commission said, there is no immediate alarm. (Power company) ENEL intends to move forward with further emptying of what has entered the dam as part of this emergency situation".
    Transport and Infrastructure Minister Graziano Delrio said later dam managers in quake-hit areas had been told to keep a close eye on the structures even though they had not reported any problems. He said checks were made every two years by law but they would be made more frequently after quakes. "The dam managers have reported the absence of significant critical factors but they have been invited to always keep their guard very high given the frequency of seismic events," he said after three recent five-magnitude quakes in Abruzzo raised concern over the Campotosto dam. Experts said Monday dams were built with seven-magnitude quakes in mind, and other officials said Campotosto was quite safe after an initial alert.