Watch: Huge Dam Collapse In Brazil Leads To Tsunami-like Flood In Seconds

Dams are constructed to impound water for various purposes like electricity generation, irrigation, and supplying drinking water to urban areas. Without dams, obtaining water for cities would be challenging. Envision the catastrophic consequences if a dam’s structure were to rupture. You can grasp the severity by viewing a trending video on social media. The video circulating on Instagram depicts the aftermath of a dam collapse, resembling a mountainous surge. Instead of a river’s gradual flow, the water moves at tsunami-like speed, causing widespread destruction. Ponder the potential impact if such a dam were to rupture near densely populated cities like Delhi-NCR or Mumbai. The swiftness of the water poses a grave threat, capable of claiming thousands of lives instantly, with its unstoppable force spanning several kilometres.

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The dam holds a substantial volume of water, often measured in lakhs of cusecs. To prevent catastrophic breaches, the dam’s structure is designed to be robust and tall. Rigorous monitoring by a team of experts ensures its integrity. Any identified deficiencies are promptly addressed, sometimes by releasing water to avert potential incidents, safeguarding against the threat of dam failure, especially during heavy rainfall or flooding.

The video is reportedly from Brazil, emphasising the significant impact of constructing large dams and submerging entire villages and even cities underwater. The caption mentions the well-known case of Xi Cheng in China, submerged due to the Qiandao Lake Dam. The immense weight of water held by such dams is exemplified by the Hoover Dam in the United States, capable of containing over 9 trillion gallons or approximately 34 billion cubic metres of water. The potential devastation from a dam failure is a serious concern. The clip has received 5 lakh views and more than 1.24 lakh likes till now.