Toxic spill stopped by dam

A TOXIC spill flowing toward China’s southern business capital of Guangzhou has been stopped by a dam as the government rushed to protect water supplies to the city of seven million.

Authorities closed the Baishiyao Dam at the city of Yingde, 60 miles north of Guangzhou, to trap the spill of cadmium flowing down the Bei River, the China Daily newspaper reported.

Local official Wang Zhensheng was quoted as saying: “Water in the lower stream is safe.” He said another dam downstream also was closed and authorities planned to discharge water from a reservoir to dilute the chemical.