China blows up dam to release rising floodwaters

Chinese authorities have blown up a massive dam to release floodwaters, creating an impressive domino-effect explosion.

More than 27,000 kg of dynamite were laid across the 3.7 km embankment separating the Liangzi and Niushan Lakes in a last ditch effort to release rising floodwaters.

The country has been hit with torrential rain over the last few weeks causing the water in the Liangzi Lake to rise above safety levels, CCTV News reports.

After 1600 people were evacuated from the area, authorities detonated the massive explosion which created a chain reaction moving across the entire length of the dam.

The explosion was a success with 500,000 litres of water quickly rushing through the opening.