Global Dam Safety: A Growing Crisis

Prelims – Currents events of national and international events.

Mains – General Studies III | Disaster and disaster management.

Why in news?

A study published in Nature Water (March 7, 2025) has highlighted the increasing failure rates of newly built dams, particularly in low-income countries.

• Dams are critical infrastructure for water management, energy and flood control.
• However, recent study indicate a rising trend of dam failures, especially in low-income countries.
• The consequences of these failures are often catastrophic, leading to significant loss of life and property.
• Study Conducted by – Researchers from Deltares, IHE Delft and Imperial College London.

Key findings of the report/study

• Increased Failure Rate – A study in Nature Water predicts 23 large dam failures globally by 2035.  
• 4.4% of large dams have a failure probability exceeding 1/10,000.
• Infant Mortality of Dams – Newly constructed embankment dams have a higher failure probability in their initial years.
• Modern concrete dams exhibit greater resilience.
• Ageing Dams – Older embankment dams (15-70m height, built in the latter half of the 20^th century) are prone to future failures.
• Regional Disparities – Low-income countries, particularly those in monsoon-dominated regions, show a higher rate of new dam failures.  
• This coincides with areas with untapped hydropower potential.

Factors Contributing to Failures

• Inadequate monitoring and maintenance.
• Changing hydrological scenarios (e.g., increased flooding).
• Deglaciating basins, extreme weather events, and geopolitical conflicts.
• Limited resources for upkeep.

Reference

1. Down to Earth | Dam Safety