U.S. warns Mosul dam collapse would be catastrophic

[rjsquirrel]

4. It's been under serious discussion for

a year or two now, although the concerns go back a long way. Figures I saw said as many as 10 million live in the larger flood zone. Millions could die.We haven't seen catastrophe on this scale in a long time. It could potentially dwarf the biggest recent quakes and even the Indonesian tsunami.

So damn right (or dam right) it's scary as shit. And Iraq has neither the resources,will, skill set, or social conditions to address it seriously and soon. Gotta be a global effort. It will cost enormously large amounts of money IF it can even be fixed. Put it on George Bush's tab?

Reports I've heard have serious scientists saying preemptive evacuations ought to be studied and begun.But that is even more expensive and potentially creates a refugee and famine situation that again dwarfs the current already overwhelming human wave of misery.

It is potentially a civilization threatening event at least for its region. It's so f'ing serious.

That is, unless someone *wanted* to kill millions and displace millions more and sow chaos and collapse that would easily create a global recession, trigger wars, and affect Europe and N America in seriously destabilizing ways. The scenario is not that far fetched. Add a major renewed conflict level with nuclear powers involved, throw in a few major climate driven natural disasters and shit goes pear shaped.

Most Iraqis I've known have bee decent kind folks,smart and cosmopolitan and pragmatic. Those poor people don't deserve this nightmare. But even out of self interest we should be leading a major global effort with the Chinese and Russians and Europe to address this.

Imagine what a terrorist target that dam is.