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Dam failures are invariably disastrous, particularly when they occur downstream and cause enormous losses in terms of both lives lost and property. Examine the several reasons why dams break. Give two instances of significant dam failures. (150 words)[UPSC 2023]
Causes of Dam Failures:
Examples of Large Dam Failures:
Conclusion: Dam failures, often due to a combination of structural, environmental, and geological factors, have catastrophic consequences. Ensuring robust design, regular maintenance, and thorough geological assessments are crucial to preventing such disasters.
Model Answer
Introduction
Dams play a crucial role in managing water resources and generating hydroelectric power in India. However, the safety of these structures is increasingly concerning, especially given the ageing infrastructure and extreme weather events. Dam failures can lead to catastrophic consequences, particularly downstream, resulting in devastating loss of life and property.
Causes of Dam Failures
1. Natural Causes
2. Structural Flaws
3. Human Error
4. Lack of Maintenance
5. Age of the Dam
Examples of Large Dam Failures
1. Machchhu-2 Dam Failure (1979)
On August 11, 1979, the Machchhu-2 dam in Gujarat failed due to excessive rainfall, resulting in catastrophic flooding that claimed between 1,800 to 25,000 lives.
2. Uttarakhand Glacier Burst (2021)
On February 7, 2021, a glacier burst in Uttarakhand triggered floods that damaged two dams, leading to significant loss of life and property, with over 170 people feared dead.
Conclusion
Dam failures pose serious risks to life and property, particularly in regions with aging infrastructure and extreme weather conditions. Understanding the causes—ranging from natural disasters to human error—is essential for improving dam safety and preventing future catastrophes.
Answer :
Introduction :
Dams plays a vital role in our country with each and every factors are directly or indirectly related to life and economy of our country.
Factors which include are irrigation, water storage, hydroelectric Power station which generate enormous electricity for the betterment of people life and country economy.
At a same time the failure of Dam could even lead to a very catastrophic event which harms to each and every vital sectors ( irrigation , water storage , electricity generation) making in a very large scale destruction especially when it comes to downstream side leading to destruction of the infrastructure located nearby , relocation, accidental death of the people due to such failure which are living for there daily livelihood.
Causes : Failure of Dams are aligned to various criteria as followed:
Examples of large Dams Failure in India:
Dam failure is a very large devasting which cannot be categories as a large or small as it impacts nation economy and devastating people’s life.
1. Teesta III Hydroelectric Dam Destruction, Sikkim: 4th October 2023.
Heavy rains caused the glacial South Lhonak lake in Sikkim breach its banks, causing a glacial lake outburst flood
It was the deadliest flood in the area after the 1968 Sikkim floods when around 1000 people were killed.
2. Tungabhadra Dam Crest Gate Failure, Karnataka–Andhra Pradesh: 10 August 2024.
Tungabhadra Dam failed, releasing enormous volumes of water downstream unexpectedly prompting flood warnings in districts across Karnataka and Andhra Pradesh.
The primary reason for the failure is inadequate bearing capacity of the foundation material (sand), failure of upstream secant piles.