BEIJING, April 20 (Reuters) - Thousands of Chinese reservoirs in need of repairs are like "time bombs" threatening nearby villages, state media reported on Friday, a day after one burst its banks, prompting the evacuation of thousands of villagers.

More than a third of China's 85,000 reservoirs had serious problems, the official Xinhua news agency said, citing Jiao Yong, a deputy minister of water resources.

"The problematic reservoirs are like time bombs, seriously threatening the lives and property of people living downstream," Jiao was quoted as saying. He did not give details.

The government would spend 5 billion yuan ($647.7 million) each year to repair embankments, he said.

Collapsing reservoir banks or dams is not uncommon in China. A gaping hole appeared in the embankment around a reservoir in northwest province of Gansu on Thursday, causing the temporary evacuation of about 2,500 villagers as water gushed out.

In May 2004, 18 people were killed when a reservoir on the Yangtze River burst its banks and swept away their minibus.

AlertNet news is provided by