Dam Safety In India
Source Dam Safety In India: Down to Earth
GS III: Disaster Management
Overview
- News in Brief
- What was the primary reason?
- How can disaster avoided?
- Dam Safety Act, 2021
Why in the News?
The ongoing scientific investigations over the Chungthang dam bursting are trying to unravel the exact cause of the abrupt eruption of South Lhonak Lake, situated in northern Sikkim.
News in Brief
- This catastrophic event led to the collapse of the Chungthang Dam on October 4, 2023.
- The dam’s collapse triggered a staggering surge in water levels, elevating them by an alarming 15-20 metres within the Teesta River.
- The resultant flash flood wreaked havoc across numerous districts.
- In the four most affected districts of Mangan, Gangtok, Pakyong, and Namchi, water pipes, sewage lines, and 277 homes have been damaged.
- The flood formed as a result of Glacier Lake Outburst Floods (GLOF).
Chungthang dam
- Chungthang is situated at 1,700 metres above mean sea level.
- The Chungthang dam was a part of the 1,200-megawatt (MW) Teesta Stage III Hydro Electric Project.
- It was constructed along the Teesta River and became operational in 2017.
- Built primarily for hydroelectric power generation.
- The dam stood at 817 metres and had a net head of 778 metres.
- This hydroelectric project was established to generate revenue for the Sikkim government.
What was the primary reason for Dam Safety In India?
- South Lhonak Lake is one of the rapidly expanding lakes in the Sikkim Himalayan region.
- Its growth is inversely related to the accelerated melting of the Lhonak glacier resulting from global warming.
- Over the past 29 years, this glacier has shrunk by approximately 0.96 square kilometres.
- Its submerged area expanded to 1.35 square km in 2019 from 0.42 square km in 1990.
- This rapid growth increases the lake’s vulnerability to collapse when subjected to heavy rainfall, earthquakes and other similar events,
- Particularly in the Himalayan region where geological activity is more pronounced.
How can disaster avoided?
- Global warming is causing glaciers to melt and increasing water pressure in glacial lakes, reducing the emission is one potential solution.
- Pumping out the water from the lake.
- Identification of Potentially Dangerous area in the Lakes
- Channeling Potential Floods
- Awareness & Preparedness
Dam Safety Act, 2021
Objective of Dam Dam Safety Act, 2021?
- The Act provides for the surveillance, inspection, operation, and maintenance of all specified dams across the country.
- Prevention of dam failure-related disasters and providing for institutional mechanisms to ensure their safe functioning
- These are dams with heights of more than 15 metres, or heights between 10 m and -15 m with certain design and structural conditions.
National Level Bodies
- National Dam Safety Authority (NDSA)
- Implements policies of the NCDA and provides technical assistance to State Dam Safety Organisations (SDSOs) and resolves disputes involving an SDSO.
- The Authority shall be headed by an officer not below the rank of Additional Secretary to the Government of India or equivalent to be appointed by the Central Government.
- He has knowledge of, and adequate qualifications, experience and capacity, to deal with problems relating to dam engineering and dam safety management.
- The Authority shall comply with such directions as may, from time to time, be given to it by the Central Government.
- Authority shall make all endeavours to resolve any issue between the State Dam Safety Organisations of States or between a State Dam Safety Organisation and any owner of a specified dam in that State.
- It shall have the power to enforce the attendance of any person and call for any information as may be necessary.
- Implement the policy, guidelines and standards evolved by the National Committee for proper surveillance, inspection and maintenance of specified dams
- Every decision of the Authority taken in respect of matters under this Act shall be final and binding upon all the parties to the issue.
- National Committee on Dam Safety (NCDS)
- Improvises policies and recommends regulations regarding dam safety standards.
- Established under section 8 of the Act.
- Members
- Chairman, Central Water Commission—Chairperson, ex officio.
- Not exceeding ten representatives of the Central Government not below the rank of Joint Secretary to that Government or equivalent dealing with matters relating to dam engineering or dam safety, nominated by the Central Government.
- Not exceeding seven representatives of the State Governments of the level of Engineer-in-Chief or equivalent by rotation, nominated by the Central Government.
- Not exceeding three specialists in the field of dam safety and allied fields
- Functions
- National Committee shall discharge such functions as specified in the First Schedule as may be necessary to prevent dam failure-related disasters and to maintain standards of dam safety.
- National Committee shall meet at such times and places and shall observe such rules of procedure in regard to the transaction of business at its meetings in the manner as may be prescribed by the Central Government.
Offences and Penalties
- Anyone obstructing a person in the discharge of his functions under the Act or refusing to comply with directions may be imprisoned for a year.
- In case of loss of life, the person may be imprisoned for two years.
South Lhonak glacier
- The glacial-moraine-dammed South Lhonak Lake is a body of water in Sikkim’s extreme northwest.
- It is one of the Sikkim Himalaya region’s fastest-growing lakes.
- It is one of the 14 lakes that might be dangerously vulnerable to Glacial Lake Outburst Floods (GLOFs).
- Located 5,200 meters above sea level, the lake.
- It was created as a result of the Lhonak glacier melting.
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