Dam Safety Act of 2021

Syllabus: GS3/Infrastructure, Disaster Management

Context

• The Supreme Court seeks Centre’s response on Mullaperiyar dam safety and questions the delay in forming an expert committee under the Dam Safety Act of 2021.
  • Mullaperiyar dam is built on the Periyar River in Kerala. It is a 130-year-old year old dam.
  • People in Kerala living downstream Mullaperiyar dam have questioned the dam’s safety.

Dam Safety Act (DSA) 2021

• Aim: Preventing dam failure related disasters and providing institutional mechanisms to ensure their safe functioning.
• National Committee on Dam Safety: It has been constituted to prevent dam failure related disasters and maintain standards of dam safety and evolve dam safety policies and recommend necessary regulations. 
• National Dam Safety Authority: It has been established as a regulatory body for ensuring the nationwide implementation of dam safety policies and standards.
  • Its functions include implementing policies of the National Committee, and resolving matters between State Dam Safety Organisations (SDSOs), or between a SDSO and any dam owner in that state. 
  • The central government may notify the qualifications, and functions of the officers of the National Dam Safety Authority.  
• At the State level: The Act provides for the constitution of the State Committee on Dam Safety (SCDS) and the establishment of the State Dam Safety Organization (SDSO).
  • All the 28 States and 3 Union Territories having specified dams have constituted/established the SCDSs/SDSOs.
• Dam Safety Unit: Dam owners are now required to have a dedicated Dam Safety Unit, prepare Emergency Action Plans, and conduct Comprehensive Safety Evaluations at regular intervals.
  • Chairman of the Central Water Commission (CWC) would head dam safety protocols at the national level.
• Penalty: An offence under the Act can lead to imprisonment of up to two years, or a fine, or both.

Dams in India

• India has 4,407 large dams, the third highest number in the world after China and the USA.
• Maharashtra has the maximum number of large dams followed by Madhya Pradesh and Gujarat.

Dam Failures in India

• The first failure was recorded in Madhya Pradesh during 1917 when the Tigra Dam failed due to overtopping. 
• The worst dam disaster was the failure of Machu dam (Gujarat) in 1979 in which about 2000 people died.  
• There are 40 reported failure cases so far.

Reasons for the Dam Failures in India

• Poor Monitoring & Maintenance: Many dams suffer from inadequate or irregular maintenance, leading to structural weaknesses, cracks, and deterioration over time.
• Design Flaws: Some dams were designed with outdated or incorrect specifications, not suitable for the current environmental or operational conditions.
• Natural Disasters: Earthquakes, floods, and heavy rainfall put immense pressure on dams, causing structural damage or even failures.
• Over-topping: When a dam’s reservoir exceeds its storage capacity due to excessive rainfall or snowmelt, water spills over, leading to erosion or breaching.
• Sedimentation: The accumulation of silt and sediment in reservoirs reduces storage capacity and increases pressure on the dam, which leads to structural failure.

Why Dam Safety is a Priority Concern in India?

• Aging of Dams: With the increasing number of dams becoming older and older, the likelihood of dam failures in India is expected to be an ascending path. There are 227 large dams in India which are more than 100 years old. 
• Structural Deficiencies: Many dams have varied structural deficiencies and shortcomings in operation and monitoring facilities, while few do not meet the present design standard- both structurally and hydrologically.
• Lack of Institutional and Technical Capacities: Most of the States have been failing to provide sufficient budgets for maintenance and repair of the dam.
  • Many States also lack the institutional and technical capacities for addressing dam safety issues.
• Hazard to human life and property downstream.

What more needs to be done? 

• There is a need to classify dams based on hazard risk, 
• Designing and constructing dams that adhere to safety margins, 
• Conduct regular inspections,
• Create emergency action plans,
• Institute emergency flood warning systems, and undertake safety reviews and period risk assessment studies.

Source: TH