for years , the fields of western farmers feed the united states and numerous other nations of the world , and india ' s dam systems have enabled that country to be self - sufficient in food supplies after 1974 . in addition , in many parts of the worldwide these have attempted to remedy life - threatening problems such as poverty from lack of rural development , famine as a result of rains , havoc from floods , and continued plague from lack of irrigation water supplies .
Dam building prevents life-threatening situations.