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3 Examples of Recent Catastrophic Hydro-Dam Accidents
Fig. 3.2 Xe-Pian dam disaster area. Satellite view from Google Earth
After the Oroville dams problems in 2017 (Sect. 3.1), this case encompasses a
catastrophic and devastating failure of a “minor” hydro structure. Are we seeing the
development of a new trend in risk, thanks to climate change? Last year, a dam on
the Nam Ao River, also under construction, failed as well. In that case, however, no
deaths were reported.
3.2.1 Meteorological Conditions
According to public news (Sosnowski 2018) broadcast in February 2013, the Philippines, Vietnam, Cambodia and Laos were going to face the greatest threats from
tropical storms and typhoons, including flooding rainfall and/or damaging winds and
3 Examples of Recent Catastrophic Hydro-Dam Accidents
Fig. 3.2 Xe-Pian dam disaster area. Satellite view from Google Earth
After the Oroville dams problems in 2017 (Sect. 3.1), this case encompasses a
catastrophic and devastating failure of a “minor” hydro structure. Are we seeing the
development of a new trend in risk, thanks to climate change? Last year, a dam on
the Nam Ao River, also under construction, failed as well. In that case, however, no
deaths were reported.
3.2.1 Meteorological Conditions
According to public news (Sosnowski 2018) broadcast in February 2013, the Philippines, Vietnam, Cambodia and Laos were going to face the greatest threats from
tropical storms and typhoons, including flooding rainfall and/or damaging winds and