Q14.Dam failures are always catastrophic, especially on the downstream side, resulting in a colossal loss of life and property. Analyze the various causes of dam failures. Give two examples of large dam failures.

Dam failures are catastrophic, causing immense loss of life, property, and environmental damage downstream. Analyzing their diverse causes is vital for prevention.

Structural and Design Flaws

• Inadequate spillway capacity leading to overtopping.
• Poor foundation design and use of substandard materials.
• Deterioration of aging infrastructure.

Hydrological Factors

• Extreme floods exceeding design capacity.
• Rapid reservoir filling and prolonged heavy rainfall.

Geological Factors

• Earthquakes compromising dam integrity.
• Landslides into reservoirs creating surge waves.
• Unstable abutments/foundations and erosion.

Operational and Maintenance Issues

• Improper gate operation and lack of regular inspections.
• Inadequate repairs and human error in monitoring.

• Machchhu-2 Dam (India, 1979): Failed due to overtopping from extreme floods, causing colossal loss of life.
• Teton Dam (USA, 1976): Collapsed during initial filling due to design flaws in the foundation and inadequate compaction.

Robust design, continuous monitoring, and stringent safety protocols are essential to prevent such devastating incidents.