Beijing: A 4.7-magnitude earthquake on Sunday struck central China`s Hubei Province close to the massive Three Gorges Dam, one of the world`s largest hydropower projects.
The epicenter of the tremor in Zigui county is some 23 km from the dam, the country`s largest multi-functional water control system.
The quake, which was strongly felt in Zigui, Bashan and Xingshan counties, was monitored at a depth of five km, according to the China Earthquake Networks Centre.
The Three Gorges hydropower project on Yangtze River was operating normally after a 4.7-magnitude earthquake hit the area today, an official statement said.
The operation of the dam project was not affected, said a statement from China Three Gorges Corporation, which administers the project.
The water level and the navigation of ships in the Three Gorges reservoir were normal with no reports of any large landslides, the statement added.
No casualties or property losses were reported so far.
The earthquake came after a 4.3-magnitude tremor hit Zigui county on Thursday, which is about 30 km from the Three Gorges Dam.
The quake was felt in the dam area but did not affect the project.
The Three Gorges project consists of a 2,309-metre-long and 185-metre-high dam, a five-tier ship lock, and 26 hydropower turbo-generators.
The project generates electricity, controls floods by storing excess water and helps regulate the river`s shipping capacity.
