On Dam Safety – Damned by our Dams as Safety Issues swirl

Source: The post on Dam Safety has been created based on the article “Damned by our Dams as Safety Issues swirl” published in “Live Mint” on 4^th December 2023.

UPSC Syllabus Topic: GS Paper 3 – Disaster Management.

News: The article discusses the dam safety in India. It also highlights the reasons for poor dam safety in India. It also highlights suggestions by experts in this regard.

Recently, Glacial Lake Outburst Flood (GLOF) caused heavy destruction in Sikkim. South Lhonak Lake, a glacial lake situated in north-western Sikkim burst due to incessant rains. The hydropower dam over the Teesta was destroyed and the associated 1,200MW Teesta-III hydropower project submerged. This has raised attention towards dam safety in India.

For more information on the Sikkim GLOF, click here.

A detailed article on Glacial Lake Outburst Flood (GLOF) can be read here.

What is the status of dam infrastructure in India?

India is the 3^rd most dammed country in the world, with 6,138 large dams in total.

India produces around 25,000MW energy from the dams on the Himalayan rivers alone, which is around 65% of the total hydropower potential of these rivers.

What is the status of dam safety in India?

India has a poor record of dam safety.

1. Dam Failures: According to National Dam Safety Authority, there have been 42 cases of dam failures.
   For instance, the Machchu dam incident of 1979 in Gujarat, killing 2,000.
2. Dam-induced floods: For instance, the Hirakud-induced floods in Mahanadi basin.

What are the reasons for poor dam safety in India?

1. Large number of Ageing Dams: According to the Jal Shakti ministry, dams in India are designed for approximately 100 years of useful age. However, 80% of India’s large dams are over 25 years old and 234 are over 100 years old.
2. Lack of Performance Assessment: There is no mechanism to assess the viable lifespan and performance of dams.
3. Unscientific operation of dams: For instance, not taking seismicity into account, unscientific water release strategies, etc.).
4. Old dams not being Decommissioned: Due to a variety of reasons (discussed below), dams are not being retired out of service.

Why are dams not being decommissioned?

1. Lack of Diversity in Policymakers: India’s water policymaking does not involve stakeholders from diverse backgrounds. It is dominated by civil engineers.
2. Socio-Economic concerns: Dams create a new economic ecosystem around them, such as colonies. This makes it difficult to shift ecosystems around dams to new sites.
   For instance, Mullaperiyar dam (Kerala).
3. Tedious Process: It is a time-consuming and laborious process. This is due to the need of conducting socio-economic and ecological impact studies, earmarking rehabilitation areas for the displaced and devising strategy for building an alternative water resource to offer livelihoods to the displaced population.

What can India do about dam safety in the Himalayas?

Various experts have suggested the following measures:

1 Strict Monitoring of Glacial Lakes: Himalayan glaciers have been receding and strict monitoring is necessary. This includes maintaining an updated inventory of Glacial Lakes (possibly every 5 years).

2 Climate Assessment of Hydropower Projects: Evaluating the potential effects of climate change on the risks and vulnerabilities associated with such projects in the fragile Himalayan region.

3 GLOF Assessment and Mitigation: GLOF assessment should be done beforehand and mitigation measures should be built into Himalayan hydropower projects.

4 Declaring a mountain regulation zone: Declaring MRZ on the lines of coastal regulation zone (CRZ), where large infrastructure projects would be regulated.

5 In-built SOPs in Dam Designs: A critical component of dam safety has to be in-built special operating procedures in dam design that take care of eventualities like flash floods.

What are the steps taken by the government in this regard?

1. DRIP II and DRIP III scheme: The Dam Rehabilitation and Improvement Project (DRIP) II and IlI schemes have been devised to enhance dam safety oversight. It aims to fully rehabilitate 736 dams in 19 states by 2031. It includes reduction of seepage, improvement in dam drainage; treatment for cracking in the dam, improvement in the ability to withstand higher floods, etc.
   More on the DRIP Scheme here.
2. Dam Safety Act, 2021: It includes:
   a. Framework for proper surveillance, inspection, operation and maintenance of all large dams.
   b. Empowered institutional framework for dam safety, both at Centre and State level.
   c. Standardizing dam safety practices across the country.
   More on it here.

Question for practice:

Dam safety in India requires urgent attention in the wake of the Sikkim GLOF incident. Highlight the challenges of dam safety in India, especially in Himalayan regions. Also suggest steps to mitigate the same.