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Introduction

Dams have been quintessential in securing water resources and generating hydroelectric power, especially in a diverse and vast country like India. However, the safety of dams is an alarming concern in India given the ageing infrastructure and increasing instances of extreme weather events which can have catastrophic consequences.

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Catastrophic Consequences of Dam Failures on the Downstream Side:

• Loss of Lives: The Machchhu dam failure in 1979 is a heart-wrenching testament to the human toll of dam failures, with thousands of lives lost in a tragic event that shook the nation.
• Massive Property Damage: The looming fears surrounding the structural integrity of the Mullaperiyar Dam in India highlight the potential for substantial property damage that could affect countless families and businesses in the downstream regions of Kerala.
• Ecological Destruction: The Ratnagiri dam failure in 2019 in Maharashtra brought to the fore the severe environmental repercussions of dam failures, causing an ecological imbalance with the loss of flora and fauna, thereby underscoring the need for eco-friendly preventative measures.
• Displacement: The concerns surrounding the Idukki Dam in Kerala, emphasize the enormous social issue of displacement, where communities risk losing their homes and livelihoods, creating a cycle of poverty and homelessness that is difficult to break.
• Long-term Psychological Impact: The survivors of the Francis Dam failure in 1928 in the USA endured long-term psychological trauma, a testimony to the mental health toll dam failures can inflict on individuals, ranging from PTSD to anxiety disorders.

Causes of Dam Failures:

• Natural Causes: The Bhuj earthquake in 2001 in Gujarat elucidated the susceptibility of dam structures to seismic activities. Several dams in the region suffered varying degrees of damage, spotlighting the need for earthquake-resistant designs.
• Unprecedented Rains: The Kerala floods in 2018 are a case in point where torrential rains severely stressed dam systems, forcing emergency releases that exacerbated flooding situations and caused widespread destruction, stressing the need for efficient water management systems.
• Structural Flaws: The Banqiao dam failure in 1975 in China was partly due to engineering and structural deficiencies, which were unable to withstand the heavy rainfall and storm conditions, thereby emphasizing the need for stringent quality control in construction materials and designs.
• Human Error: The Vajont Dam disaster in 1963 in Italy was exacerbated due to human errors in the judgment of the geology of the site and overlooking the warning signs, highlighting the need for well-trained personnel in dam operations.
• Lack of Maintenance: The report by the Comptroller and Auditor General (CAG) of India has recurrently pointed out lapses in the maintenance of various dams across the country, spotlighting the pressing need for regular checks and maintenance to prevent tragic incidents.
• Age of the Dam: Many dams in India, like the Mullaperiyar dam, are over a century old and have witnessed disputes owing to concerns regarding their structural integrity with age, stressing the requirement for continuous assessment and reinforcement of aging dams.

Some examples of Dam failure lead to catastrophic event :

• Uttarakhand Glacier Burst – On February 7, 2021, a section of a Himalayan glacier detached and moved downwards at a very high velocity, impacting a river and causing high waves and intense floods. The incident triggered floods and damaged two dams in north India, leaving more than 170 people feared dead.
• Polavaram Dam Failure – In August 2022, the Polavaram dam in Andhra Pradesh failed to contain the floodwaters of the Godavari river, leading to massive floods in the surrounding areas.
• Machchhu-2 Dam Failure – On August 11, 1979, the Machchhu-2 dam in Gujarat failed due to excessive rainfall and massive flooding, resulting in the death of an estimated 1,800 to 25,000 people

Conclusion

While dams remain indispensable to India’s developmental goals, safety cannot be compromised. By crafting policies inspired by global success stories and grounded in community participation and technological advancements, India can ensure the safe and sustainable operation of its dams, safeguarding countless lives and precious resources.