14 de Julho is a partially collapsed hydroelectric dam, formerly with around 100 MW of power, that is located in the Das Antas River between the municipalities of Cotiporã and Bento Gonçalves in Brazil. The dam had an estimated capacity of 55.18 million cubic meters before its collapse. Its construction project started in 2004 and subsequently entered into commercial operation in 2008.[1]
Collapse
editOn May 2, 2024, the dam partially collapsed during heavy rains. After the collapse, the region has since been declared a state of emergency by Rio Grande do Sul state governor Eduardo Leite,[2] and the Civil Defense issued a statement warning residents in regions around the Taquari River to leave their homes.[3][4] The collapse of the dam created a two-meter (6.6-foot; 79-inch) wave that exacerbated the 2024 flooding of Rio Grande do Sul.
The Brazilian company Companhia Energética Rio das Antas (CERAN) later issued a statement stating that the dam collapse did not significantly alter the flow dynamics in the Taquari–Antas basin.[5]
References
edit- ^ kgi-admin (7 January 2022). "Power plant profile: 14 de Julho, Brazil". Power Technology. Archived from the original on 11 May 2024. Retrieved 10 May 2024.
- ^ "Brazil hydroelectric dam bursts under record rains | Latest Market News". Argus Media. 3 May 2024. Archived from the original on 3 May 2024. Retrieved 10 May 2024.
- ^ Press, Associated (3 May 2024). "Brazil: 37 killed and dozens missing in worst floods in 80 years". The Guardian. ISSN 0261-3077. Archived from the original on 5 May 2024. Retrieved 9 May 2024.
- ^ Leão, Luan (2 May 2024). "Rompimento de barragem no RS: veja cidades ameaçadas e com ordem para moradores buscarem abrigos" [Dam failure in RS: see threatened cities and orders for residents to seek shelter]. CNN Brasil (in Brazilian Portuguese). Archived from the original on 4 May 2024. Retrieved 9 May 2024.
- ^ "Dam of 14 de Julho power plant in Brazil partially collapses". International Water Power & Dam Construction. 3 May 2024. Archived from the original on 3 May 2024. Retrieved 9 May 2024.