Bicano Dam faces imminent collapse risk in Minas Gerais

The Bicano Dam, located in the rural area of Campina Verde in the Triângulo Mineiro region of Minas Gerais, faces an imminent risk of collapse. The Federal Public Ministry (MPF) has intervened in a legal action to support urgent measures requested by the state of Minas Gerais and the Minas Gerais Institute for Water Management (Igam) against the National Institute for Colonization and Agrarian Reform (Incra).

The earth dam is 266 meters long and holds approximately 50,000 cubic meters of water within the Campo Belo Settlement Project. Technical inspections have identified a lack of maintenance, erosion, and water infiltration, leading authorities to elevate the danger level to an emergency status.

In response to the emergency, municipal and state civil defense agencies have coordinated the evacuation of nearby residents, the closure of roads, and the opening of a provisional channel to drain part of the reservoir. The legal action seeks to compel Incra to conduct an emergency geotechnical assessment and present a structured action plan within 30 days.