Molare
However, on August 13, 1935, due to poor maintenance, the dam collapsed: the Orba, held in the artificial lake of Ortiglieto, was violently released, forming a wave tens of meters high, which headed downstream towards Molare and Ovada.
The consequences
The wave hit at least 10 villages, destroying houses, bridges, and roads, and also sweeping away people and animals: there were 21 confirmed deaths, and many more were missing. The damages were enormous, both economic and environmental: the Orba river was blocked by the landslide caused by the wave, and the stretch of the river from Ortiglieto to the sea was completely dried up, leading to serious damages to the river ecosystem.
The causes of the disaster
Lack of maintenance
The Molare disaster revealed the total negligence of OEG in maintaining the structure, from the dam to the hydroelectric plant, as well as the lack of attention towards the warning signs that had previously emerged. The dam had been built in record time and without the necessary risk assessments, even though the ground was notoriously unstable.
Structural problems
Moreover, the Zerbino saddle, which was supposed to act as an avalanche barrier for the main dam, had not been properly consolidated: it suffered many landslides, which undermined its stability. Despite this, the necessary measures to prevent the collapse were not taken.
The consequences of the disaster
The end of OEG
OEG was not able to cope with the damages caused by the flood, and in 1937 it declared bankruptcy. The company had already paid for another tragedy related to the construction of hydroelectric plants in Valtellina, where in 1923, the Morasco lake flood had caused 27 deaths.
Implications on public works
The Molare disaster was a severe blow to the country and the entire province of Alessandria. The event was one of the worst natural disasters in the area in the 20th century, and pushed authorities to revise the legislation on small and large public works, ensuring that projects were subject to rigorous controls before their implementation.
Conclusions
The Molare disaster was one of the most dramatic events in the history of the province of Alessandria, and a raw example of the dangers of the irresponsibility of companies that build dams and hydroelectric plants. The victims of that tragic episode should not be forgotten, and the lessons learned should always be present in the design of public works for the safety and health of communities.
