Haiti - Epidemic : A dam could overflow the Artibonite River
The Artibonite River, likely initial vector of cholera, may overflow. Already heavily loaded by the rains brought by the hurricane Tomas, and at the limit of the flood, the river Artibonite could get out of its bed during the day following the opening of the valves of a hydroelectric dam on the River.
United Nations representative said that the engineers were forced to open the valves of a dam on the river, whose level of the reservoir was too high, to allow water to escape and reduce the pressure on the structure.
It was asked the people living on the banks of the river infected with cholera to evacuate their families and livestock. The health situation is bad enough, but the overflow of contaminated river could contribute to spread the cholera and to worsen the situation considerably.
In the course of the day, the area should be flown to locate and assess potential flooding.
