Ageing dams could pose threat to most of humanity: UN

Jan 23, 2021 12:31 IST

According to a new analysis by the United Nations University, most of humanity will be under threat of ageing dams by 2050. 

The research states that many of these dams are already operating beyond their design capacity. Majority of these dams were constructed between 1930 and 1970 with a design life of 50 to 100 years. 

Some of the signs of ageing dams include dam failures, increased costs of repair and maintenance and loss of the dam's effectiveness.

Climate change including flooding, changing rainfall patterns and other extreme weather events are putting dams at risk.