IISER Bhopal study examined government records for more than 300 large reservoirs with storage exceeding 100 million cubic meters.

Key finding of Study: 

• Dams in India have lost nearly 50% of their storage capacity to sedimentation, cutting power generation and weakening flood and drought protection.

• By 2050, many more particularly in the Himalayan region, Narmada-Tapi basin, Western Ghats, and Indo-Gangetic Plains are expected to reach this level.
• Primary causes of this sedimentation include agriculture-driven soil erosion, deforestation, and flooding.

About Dams in India and other associated safety concerns:

• India is the 3rd largest dam-owning nation in the world after China and USA.
• There are around 5700 large dams in India.
• Key Concerns associated with safety of Dam:
  • Ageing Dams: 80% of large dams in India are already 25 years old.
  • Seismic vulnerability: Large dams in India are often built in seismically active areas.
• Poor Financial Situation: Translates into irregular maintenance and upkeep of other parts of the power plant.

Way ahead to ensure dam safety 

• Decommissioning of ageing dams
• Using current state-of-the-art technology related to dam safety.
• Countries like Japan have created multiple sub-surface dams as an alternative to surface dams.
• Prioritizing immediate attention and management interventions for reservoirs classified as having high or very high vulnerability.