A flood caused by an ice run on the Ili River in northwest China's Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region was brought under control early Monday morning, and a dike is being built along the river to prevent more flooding.

On Monday morning, several hundred people began breaking and clearing up ice and dredging the river course.

Flooding, caused by an ice run, occurred on the section of the Ili River in the Xibo Autonomous County of Qapqal last Friday, affecting more than 1,400 people and damaging houses. Floodwater destroyed some 300 tons of rice and fodder, and some chickens and lambs froze to death in the icy waters, rescuers said.

The local government has relocated affected residents and dispatched 100 tons of coal and 10 tons of flour to villages. Water and electricity supplies have been maintained.

The local civil affairs department said another flood in the area was a distinct possibility.

(Xinhua News Agency January 17, 2006)