Simulating Failure of Indravati Dam using Mike 11 and the Propagation of Breached Outflow

Abstract

Dams are invariably used for multipurpose benefits to the society such as generation of hydropower, irrigation, water supply, flood control and others, but with associated high risk. As it retains huge amount of water, there is always a risk of formation of breach. There is a need to study the breaching aspects of a dam. In this paper a hydraulic model named MIKE11 developed by Danish Hydraulic Institute (DHI) is used to carry out simulation of flood resulting from the failure of Indravati multipurpose dam in the Odisha state. Propagation of the flood wave at its downstream reaches is studied and the consequent inundation map of the downstream submersed areas is prepared. Digital Elevation Map of the study area is obtained from USGS site and is converted into ARCII with the help of Arc-GIS software. Simulations carried out posed a challenge due to the availability of low resolution topographic data, stiff slope of the channel, obstructions at the downstream side of dam and other factors.