The agriculture ministry yesterday maintained the country’s largest dam, the Neckartal, has no cracks as widely claimed on social media. 
According to the ministry, claims the dam has cracks and allegations of possible flooding hold no truth and is misleading. 

In a statement, the ministry said it has taken note of public concerns after images went viral this week, suggesting the dam is of sub-standard. 
The public concerns were raised after the significant inflow recorded at the dam, which reached full capacity this week for the first time ever. 
The ministry clarified the dam has two tunnels within the dam wall, referred to as drainage galleries. There is an upper and lower gallery. 
The ministry explained that in the galleries, there are drainage holes, drilled to some depth into the foundation of the dam wall. It also clarified these holes relief the pressure in the foundation by releasing the accumulating water and channel it into the galleries. 

Each gallery, according to the ministry, has two drainage sumps that collect the water and drain it out through an outlet pipe onto the steps downstream of the dam. 
Additionally, he said, the dam also has drainage holes on the upstream at each induced joint that collects water seeping through and channels it through the gallery. 

“The insinuation that the above-mentioned outlets or holes will eventually cause damage to the dam holds no truth and is misleading,” the ministry said.  

The ministry also said, as per the environmental impact assessment (EIA), which was carried out before the implementation of the project, all the possible risks – both upstream and downstream (such as flooding) – were assessed and taken into consideration, and the necessary mitigation measures have been implemented.
 - anakale@nepc.com.na