Water flowing into a damaged reservoir in the UK feared to be on the edge of collapse has been "reduced considerably" after efforts by the military and emergency services.
Thousands of people were evacuated after Toddbrook Reservoir - which contains around 1.3 million tonnes of water - threatened to flood the Derbyshire town of Whaley Bridge.
But an RAF Chinook and firefighters using high-volume pumps appear to have stabilised the "unprecedented, fast-moving, emergency situation" caused by heavy rain.
Images taken today show the helicopter dropping one-ton sandbags to bolster the damaged part of the structure.
Firefighters deployed from across the country are using at least ten high volume pumps to reduce water to a safe level before work will begin to repair the dam wall.
More than 6,000 people were told to leave their homes and directed to an evacuation point at a school nearby.
Police added that a timescale for people to be able to return to their homes is "currently unknown".
Julie Sharman, chief operating officer of the Canal and River Trust which runs the reservoir, said water levels had reduced by around eight inches (200mm) overnight.
She said: "It is a critical situation at this point in time. And until we're beyond that critical situation, the risk is a material risk and that's why we've taken the action we have."
Ms Sharman said engineers have told her the crucial puddle clay core of the dam is intact, but it is vital to replace the load on the core lost when the earth was eroded.
Thousands evacuated amid fears UK dam will collapse | https://t.co/Ad3fzMrDJO pic.twitter.com/EWksN9JkyA
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Derbyshire Chief Fire Officer Terry McDermott said there are 150 firefighters working at the reservoir with 10 high-volume pumping crews.
But he said despite progress, engineers remain "very concerned" about the situation.
Mr McDermott said: "The structural engineer is saying if we don't do something there will be a problem.
"It's not going to go away on its own. It's absolutely necessary, the activity that's going on at the moment."
Local resident Carolyn Whittle said that another section of the spillway - designed to release water - further collapsed yesterday.
Ms Whittle said: "Another section of the concrete on the dam face has now collapsed."
She said: "I've lived in Whaley (Bridge) for the best part of 45 years, and I've never seen water flood over the dam like that, ever, nor thought that we could possibly be at risk in this way."
