[jokoon]

The problem is how long it takes to drain it, and how quick you realize the dam might break and how much time it can take.

As the article says, the dam would break very quickly without giving enough warnings.

[tunap]

Millions of people are depending on that water and electricity daily. Even without a violent release, I suspect draining it would bring long-term discomfort/suffering in the form of significant power loss and water shortages. How long would it take to fill back up to usable levels in that desert?