[sentenza]

Drain it. Seriously.

Any other response is either unrealistically expensive/complicated or reckless.

Sure, the Italian company could maintain it if they aren't attacked by ISIS, but that is a big if when failure is immanent.

[masklinn]

> Drain it. Seriously.

Easy to say when the sluice gates are stuck and the dam represents more than 10% of the country's already way under demand electricity production.

[afarrell]

Where is that electricity going? Mosul?

If it is, then shutting it down would cut off an enemy's economic resources and force them to choose between an angry population and attacking a fortified position against air superiority.

Yes, being without electricity does great harm to the civilian population, but less harm than a massacre-by-flood.

[bjackman]

Remember that the sluice gates are seized. Obviously they should still drain it but it's not as simple as making the call.

[rwallace]

Would it suffice to just take a stick of dynamite to one of the seized gates?

[foota]

How could they drain it?

[throw7]

Well, immediately getting back to grouting the base would be the first order of business. Second, fixing the jammed sluice gate. We need an analysis and timeline of the above and time is something it seems we don't have.