(VOVworld) –Oroville Dam, the US’s tallest dam and one of the world’s 20 largest dams, is in danger of collapse because of heavy rainfall. California is working to minimize potential losses.

Oroville Dam in danger of collapse (Photo:Reuters)

Built in the 1960s, the 200m-tall Oroville Dam can contain a maximum of 4.3 million cubic meters of water. Its water discharge areas covers 9,300 square km. Storms and heavy rainfalls have set the stage for a disaster at the dam: water rising to an alarming level and a sinkhole appearing. Last Friday, authorities opened an emergency spillway that can discharge 2,800 cubic meters of water per second.

Kevin Dossey, a spokesperson for California’s Department of Water Resources said the spillway’s designed capacity is over 7,000 cubic meters of water per second, but cracks were reported when the water flow reached 357 cubic meters per second. Experts say that if the 2 spillways of the US’ s tallest dam should break, more than 1.2 billion cubic meters of water will drop on a residential area of 200,000 people. Many roads will be wiped out. Cities along Highway 70 corridor will be submerged.

California Governor Jerry Brown declared a state of emergency on Monday. He said “the circumstances are complex and rapidly changing. The State is directing all necessary personnel and resources to deal with this very serious situation.” Brown has written a letter to President Donald Trump requesting emergency help for California’s 3 northern counties. Bill Croyle, Head of California’s Department of Water Resources, said it will take at least 10 to 15 days to get control of the situation.

Local emergency crew are repairing the cracks and working to lower the water level at least 15m before further rainfall in the next few days. 23,000 military personnel and helicopters are standing by for rescue operations. The Pentagon says the army is ready to provide drinking water, first aid kits, and tents. Evacuation centers have been set up in Chico, 32km northwest of the dam.

200,000 locals were evacuated overnight, forming a 60km line of evacuees along the Feather River below the dam. Nearby hotels were vacated and gas stations ran out of fuel.

There’s rising fear of a dam collapse with rainfall forecast for Thursday. California authorities are racing against time to prevent a disaster.