Dams: Vulnerabilities, Hydropower Impact and Global Failures

Oct 10, 2023

Dam Safety and Vulnerabilities

Dams & Natural Calamities:

Dams might be vulnerable to damages from floods and cloudbursts.

The recent Chungthang dam incident in Sikkim was caused by a glacial lake outburst flood (GLOF).

Impact on Hydropower:

India aims to increase its hydropower capacity to 78GW by 2030 from 52GW in FY23.

Despite recent incidents, mega projects continue, though with increased caution.

Global Dam Failures:

As of 2021, 4,000 large dam failures have been reported across 84 countries.

The most catastrophic was China’s Banqiao dam failure in 1975, causing over 80,000 deaths.

Preventive Measures in India:

A technical committee set up by the Central Electricity Authority studies potential geological impacts on hydro projects.

The Dam Safety Act, 2021 was enacted, leading to the establishment of the National Dam Safety Authority.

State dam safety organizations carry out regular inspections.

Indian Dams at Risk:

Many Indian dams are vulnerable to natural hazards.

Approximately 293 dams are over a century old.

Many were constructed without considerations of climate change impacts.

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