Cofferdam of Three Gorges demolished in seconds
The operation took about 12 seconds, causing nearly 190,000 cubic meters of concrete fragments from the upper-30-meter section of the cofferdam to tumble into the river.
The removal of the cofferdam means the main wall of the Three Gorges Project will formally begin its role in flood control, which will be two years ahead of the schedule.
The world's largest dam in Three Gorges area, central China's Hubei Province, was completed on May 20, signifying a milestone accomplishment of major structure of the mammoth Three Gorges water control project that aims to tame the flood-prone Yangtze River.
Li Yong'an, general manager of China Yangtze River Three Gorges Development Corporation, said blasting away the concrete cofferdam and the Three Gorges Reservoir's water storage will spark off no severe geological disasters.
The timed dismantling was declared a complete success by Li.
"Three Gorges Dam will remain unaffected and safe even if there might be earthquakes," said the general manager.