Tashkent, Uzbekistan (UzDaily.com) -- A group of American experts to monitor the safe operation of hydraulic structures has arrived in Uzbekistan, Dunyo news agency reported.

According to the Embassy of Uzbekistan, within the framework of agreements reached with the United States Army Corps of Engineers (USACE), American experts with many years of practical experience in monitoring the safe operation of hydraulic structures, from 15 to 28 March, jointly with representatives of the Ministry of Water Resources, JSC "Uzbekgidroenergo", the State Inspection "Gosvodkhoznadzor" and other structures will inspect the Gissarak and Tupalang dams located in Kashkadarya and Surkhandarya regions.

Experts will study the physical condition and integrity of these hydraulic structures, analyze the potential risks of failures in their functioning. Along with the study of the technical documentation of the facilities, it is planned to directly inspect the dams with modern equipment. As a result, it is planned to develop models of possible failures, analyze the consequences, as well as develop recommendations for technical monitoring and improving the safety level of dams.

Earlier, from 25 to 29 January, the USACE experts conducted online trainings for Uzbek specialists responsible for ensuring the safety of dams. During the trainings, new methods of ensuring the physical safety of hydraulic structures, monitoring their technical condition, analyzing the risks of breakthrough and other operational failures, early warning, as well as preventing and eliminating the consequences of emergency situations were explained.

The breakthrough of the Sardoba dam the Syrdarya region in May last year, which led to a devastating flood, demonstrates the importance of preventive measures and improving the professional skills of specialists. According to the Strategy for Water Resources Management and Development of the Irrigation Sector in the Republic of Uzbekistan in 2021, proposals will be prepared on the application and implementation in Uzbekistan of technical regulations and recommendations of the International Commission on Large Dams, as well as studying the best practices of foreign countries on the introduction of modern measures to ensure safety and reliable operation of reservoirs.

USACE is one of the oldest public services in the United States, established in 1775. The federal agency, currently numbering over 30,000 people, mostly civilians, is responsible for planning, design, dam construction and flood protection, as well as restoration of biodiversity of natural ecosystems. The corps provides the operation and maintenance of over 3,000 hydraulic structures in the United States and assisted in the design, construction, safety survey of hydraulic structures and mitigation of the consequences of dam breaks in 110 countries of the world.