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Massive engineering achievements and dams are essential to modern infrastructure. They guard against flooding and supply electricity and water. But when they don't work, the outcomes are disastrous. These are a few of the worst dam failures in recorded history, each of which resulted in a significant death toll and extensive damage.
Johnstown Flood (1889), Pennsylvania, USA
Occurred in 1889, it was one of the earliest known dam failures in the world. After days of heavy rain, the South Fork Dam near Johnstown, Pennsylvania, failed. The dam's collapse caused a massive surge of water. More than 2,200 people lost their lives. The disaster was primarily the result of neglect and insufficient maintenance.
Banqiao Dam Disaster (1975), China
It was one of China's deadliest dam disasters, which occurred in 1975. The dam collapsed during a severe typhoon in the Henan province. It collapsed with some other smaller dams, which led to massive flooding. An estimated 171,000 lives were lost, with the failure blamed on poor design, inadequate safety measures, and the dam's inability to withstand such extreme weather.
Machchhu Dam failure (1979), India
The Machchhu Dam disaster, which occurred in August 1979, remains one of India's worst dam failures. An immense shower of the early fall caused the dam to overflow. The town of Morbi, located downstream, was inundated with water. Nearly 2,000 people died in the flood due to poor design and lack of maintenance.
Malpasset Dam failure (1959), France
The Malpasset Dam, located on the French Riviera, collapsed in December 1959. The sudden breach released a torrent of water that devastated nearby towns and villages, killing more than 400 people. Investigations revealed poor construction and insufficient maintenance as the primary reasons for the dam's failure.
Shimantan Dam disaster (1975), China
Another tragic event occurred in 1975 when the Shimantan Dam in China failed. Like the Banqiao Dam, it collapsed due to the severe impact of Typhoon Nina.
The dam's collapse led to massive flooding, and the death toll was estimated at 230,000. Flawed design and inadequate construction practices were the major contributing factors to this disaster.
Vajont Dam disaster (1963), Italy
In October 1963, a large landslide in Italy caused a wave of water to overtop the Vajont Dam, resulting in a calamity. The dam itself survived, but a large amount of water was displaced by the landslide, resulting in a terrible flood that claimed the lives of about 2,000 people. The miscalculation of the area's geological conditions led to the catastrophe.
These dam disasters are a sobering reminder of both the destructive force of nature and the results of shoddy design, building, and upkeep. The destruction left in their wake emphasizes the necessity of stringent safety regulations and regular inspections in order to avert similar incidents in the future.