News of a leak in the Bargi Dam, which caused a stir from Bhopal to Jabalpur, has turned out to be false. Experts, after an investigation, stated that the dam is completely safe and the viral video is only a part of a duct, posing no threat.
Jabalpur: A video that went viral on social media on Monday created a stir from Bhopal to Delhi. The video claimed that there was a leakage in the Bargi Dam. As this news spread, teams of senior officials rushed to the spot and began an investigation. The investigation revealed that the dam is completely safe and the part shown in the viral video is not the dam wall but a duct, which has been constructed to regulate water pressure.
Rumors of a leak in Bargi Dam spread due to a viral video
A video that went viral on social media on Monday claimed that there was a leakage in the wall of Bargi Dam. Due to the video, an alert was declared among officials from Bhopal to Delhi, and officers were on high alert. Seeing the video, people became apprehensive of an untoward incident, and concern spread around the dam.
Jabalpur Collector Deepak Saxena immediately ordered an investigation. A team from the Narmada Valley Development Authority (NVDA) was already present at the site for routine inspection at that time. Following the Collector's instructions, the team immediately reached Bargi Dam and inspected its structure and safety.
Dam completely safe after investigation
After the investigation, NVDA officials clarified that the dam is completely safe. The part shown in the viral video is not the dam wall but a part of a duct. This duct has been constructed to reduce water pressure and control the water level. No leakage or damage was found in the main concrete structure of the dam.
Experts stated that a minor leakage was found in the rubber seals of some of the total 37 blocks of the dam, which is considered a normal occurrence and has happened before. The expert team included U.S. Vidyarthi, Consultant from the National Dam Safety Authority; Kayum Mohammad, Director from the Central Water Commission; Member Engineering from NVDA; Vinod Devda, ENC from the Water Resources Department; and Chief Engineer Bodhi.
Video had gone viral before as well
This is not the first time this video has gone viral. Approximately a year ago, the same video had claimed that the dam was leaking. Even then, officials had dismissed these claims, stating that the video was not of the dam wall.
This video is being shared repeatedly on social media, attempting to instill fear among people. Officials have appealed to the public to rely only on official information and statements from experts. Believing rumors only spreads unnecessary fear and panic.
Stir created from Bhopal to Delhi
Upon hearing the rumor of a dam leak, a stir erupted among officials from Bhopal to Delhi. Experts and the administration immediately dispatched teams for an investigation. Had this claim been true, it could have led to widespread devastation in the vicinity of the dam. However, upon reaching the spot, experts inspected the dam and found the situation to be completely safe.
The dam's structure is robust, and safety protocols are in place for any emergency. The general public has been urged to obtain accurate information about the weather and water levels from officials instead of succumbing to fear from rumors.
