The cofferdam protecting the just-completed Three Gorges Dam is refilled with water in Yichang, central China's Hubei Province, June 3, 2006. Demolition experts completed Friday the setting of explosives that will create a massive explosion to demolish the cofferdam on June 6. (Xinhua Photo)

    WUHAN, June 4 (Xinhua) -- A network of electronic triggers was completed on Sunday for the demolition of the last cofferdam protecting the Three Gorges dam, the world's largest, in Central China.

    "About 192 tons of dynamite was set in place from May 27 to June 2 and all the preparations are ready," said Song Ling, general manager of Chongqing Gezhouba Yipuli Chemical Co., which is in charge of the blasting.

    The electronic triggers will control 2,540 detonators, which will set off 971 consecutive explosions around the cofferdam.

    Experts are piling sandbags and installing steel cage around the top of the cofferdam to catch flying rubble.

    The area behind the cofferdam has been filled with water since Saturday and the water level is expected to reach 139 meters when the demolition takes places on June 6.

    A temporary structure erected for the construction of the Three Gorges Dam, the cofferdam went into operation in 2003. It generated power for construction crews in the early stages of the dam's right bank.

    It is 580 meters long, 140 meters high and eight meters wide at the top.

    Its removal means the Three Gorges Dam will formally begin its role in flood control two years ahead of the schedule. Enditem