Considering the long history of drought in Saurashtra region, the primary consideration at the time of design was water supply, not flood control.

[7] The embankments had a 6.1 m top width, with upstream and downstream slopes 1:3 (V:H) and 1:2 respectively; and a clay core extending through alluvium to bedrock.

[8] The failure was caused by excessive rain and massive flooding leading to the disintegration of the earthen walls of the four kilometre long Machchhu-2 dam.

The actual observed flow following the intense rainfall reached 16,307 m3/s, thrice what the dam was designed for, resulting in its collapse.

[7] Within 20 minutes the floods of 12 to 30 ft (3.7 to 9.1 m) height inundated the low-lying areas of Morbi industrial town located 5 km below the dam.

Women were compelled to drop their babies into the furious surge in order to save themselves and people lost their loved ones in a flash.