Understanding Human Factors that Contributed to the Banqiao and Shimantan Dam Failures

In August 1975, Typhoon Nina stalled over the Henan Province of China, bringing torrential rainfall, dropping 45% of the region’s typical annual precipitation over only a few days. Such rainfall taxed Banqiao, Shimantan and dozens of other dams in the region, many of which were constructed in a small span of time during the Great Leap Forward, China’s economic and social campaign to industrialize the nation. From August 5th to August 7th, water levels behind these dams rose, exceeding safe levels and causing widespread damage downstream, resulting in the third-deadliest flood in history. The failures of these dams were unforeseen, and the repercussions were unbearably tragic. The author of this paper investigate the circumstances surrounding these failures and provide insights regarding best practices for dam safety and dam design.