QUESTION 7
GS3
10 marks
Dam failures are always catastrophic, especially on the downstream side, resulting in a colossal loss of life and property. Analyse the various causes of dam failures. Give two examples of large dam failures.
WRITE IN
7 min
150 words
What the examiner wants
Analyse why dams fail and give two examples of large dam failures.
AnalyseBreak it into parts, show how the parts connect, and judge which matter most.
Demand-wise check
- 1Causes: overtopping, foundation failure, seepage and piping, structural defects, earthquakes, poor maintenance, GLOF≈35 words
- 2Two examples: Machchhu-II (Morbi 1979), Teesta III Chungthang (2023), Banqiao (China 1975)≈35 words
- 3Safety: Dam Safety Act 2021, DRIP≈35 words
Open in about 20 words and close in about 20.
Answer plan
ImportanceCausesExamplesSafety measuresConclusion
Where marks usually go
- Not giving two examples
- Only natural causes
Draw this
- Dam cross-section with failure points
Value addition
- ExampleMachchhu-II dam failure at Morbi, Gujarat (1979) killed thousands.Government of Gujarat records
- LawDam Safety Act, 2021 created a National Dam Safety Authority.Dam Safety Act, 2021
Mapped topper copies
Reviewed public-source references related to this PYQ. Same-syllabus references are labelled separately.
- Shakti Dubey · AIR 1 · Page 41 ↗Same syllabus reference
- Aniket Ranjan · AIR 48 · Page 41 ↗Same syllabus reference
- Shakti Dubey · AIR 1 · Page 17 ↗Same syllabus reference
- Aniket Ranjan · AIR 48 · Page 15 ↗Same syllabus reference
Links open original public sources. MainsBuddy does not host these answer sheets.
Next: plan for one minute, write it in 7 minutes, then get it checked.