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.

A dam failure or dam burst is a catastrophic type of structural failure characterized by the sudden, rapid, and uncontrolled release of impounded water or the likelihood of such an uncontrolled release.

The following are some of the impacts of dam failures on the downstream side:

1. Loss of Life
2. Property Damage
3. Negative Impact on Fisheries
4. Financial Losses
5. Environmental Damage
6. Displacement of People

Dam failures are caused by natural and anthropogenic factors:

Natural Causes:

1. Weather Pattern Changes: Dam failure risk increases with heavy rainfall, droughts, and extreme weather events.
2. Earthquakes: Dams can be damaged by ground shaking, liquefaction, and landslides, increasing the risk of failure.
3. Landslides: Dams can be damaged by landslides, resulting in failure.

Dams with outdated designs or inadequate safety measures are more likely to fail due to anthropogenic causes

1. Poor dam maintenance can cause structural deficiencies and increase the risk of failure.
2. Insufficient funding for dam maintenance and upgrades can compromise safety and increase the risk of failure.
3. Substandard Construction Materials/Techniques: These can cause structural deficiencies and increase the risk of failure.

Examples

1. The Morbi disaster, or Machchhu Dam failure, occurred on August 11, 1979, in Gujarat, India. Due to heavy rain and flooding, the four-kilometer Machchhu-2 dam on the Machchhu River collapsed. 
2. The Krishnaraja Sagar Dam in Karnataka, India, failed on August 7, 2005. Heavy rainfall and poor maintenance destroyed the 1938 dam. Dam water released during the failure caused significant property damage and death. Dam inspections and maintenance are needed to prevent catastrophic failures, as the disaster showed.

Dam failures must be prevented to protect downstream residents and property. Dam failures can be prevented by preparation, assessment, monitoring, response, documentation, and follow-up. Dam maintenance, upgrades, and programmes like the National Dam Safety Programme can prevent dam failures and their catastrophic consequences.