Daily Current Affairs : 23-October-2023
India, with its vast network of nearly 6,000 large dams, faces a pressing concern regarding their safety, especially given that 80% of these structures are over 25 years old. Despite the enactment of the Dam Safety Act (DSA) in 2021, recent events, such as the catastrophic glacial lake outburst flood in North Sikkim’s South Lhonak Lake, have highlighted significant gaps in the implementation of dam safety measures.
Overview of the Dam Safety Act:
The DSA outlined crucial provisions aimed at ensuring the safety of dams across the nation. It mandated the establishment of national and state-level bodies for implementation, including the National Committee on Dam Safety and State Committee on Dam Safety. These bodies were entrusted with responsibilities like regular inspections, creating emergency action plans, and instituting flood warning systems.
Enforcement and Accountability:
The Act imposed stringent penalties, including imprisonment and fines, for non-compliance. Instances of failure to adhere to the Act’s provisions have resulted in legal consequences, emphasizing the seriousness of the matter. For instance, the Sikkim High Court penalized a hydropower project company for violating the Dam Safety Act, setting a precedent for accountability.
Challenges and Gaps:
Several challenges have impeded effective implementation of the DSA, including the absence of systematic reporting of failures, lack of regular data updates, transparency issues, and a pattern of neglect regarding dam safety. Moreover, there is a lack of standardization in analyzing and reporting dam failures, hindering comprehensive risk assessment.
The Way Forward:
Addressing dam safety necessitates a multifaceted approach. First and foremost, there must be adherence to stringent safety margins during dam design and construction. Regular maintenance and operation following established guidelines are imperative. Real-time data recording in accessible formats, coupled with forecasting hazardous events, is crucial. Periodic reviews, which include the creation of new inundation maps and updated rule curves, are essential for adapting to changing risk factors like climate change and urbanization.
Important Points:
- India has nearly 6,000 large dams, 80% of which are over 25 years old, posing safety risks.
- The Dam Safety Act (DSA) of 2021 aimed to address dam safety concerns in India.
- Recent incidents, like the glacial lake outburst flood in Sikkim, exposed the shortcomings in dam safety measures.
- Provisions of the DSA mandated the creation of national and state-level bodies for dam safety implementation.
- Obligations for states included dam classification, regular inspections, emergency action plans, flood warning systems, and safety reviews.
- Non-compliance with the DSA provisions could result in imprisonment and fines.
- Challenges included lack of systematic reporting, transparency issues, and neglect of dam safety measures.
- The need for standardized analysis and reporting of dam failures was highlighted.
- Dam safety requires a comprehensive approach involving design adherence, maintenance, real-time data recording, and emergency planning.
- Periodic reviews, new inundation maps, and updated rule curves are essential for adapting to changing risk factors.
- A collective effort involving governmental bodies, dam builders, and local communities is crucial for enhancing dam safety in India.
Why In News
Experts have cautioned that there is a pressing need to reevaluate and strengthen the Dam Safety Act of India, considering the evolving challenges in water resource management and the potential risks associated with aging dams.
MCQs about Dam Safety in India
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What is the main purpose of the Dam Safety Act of 2021 in India?
A. Increase the number of dams
B. Address concerns related to dam safety
C. Promote tourism around dams
D. Reduce the size of existing dams
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What are the consequences for non-compliance with the Dam Safety Act?
A. Warning letters
B. Monetary fines and imprisonment
C. Temporary shutdown of dams
D. Public apologies
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Which recent incident exposed the gaps in dam safety measures in India?
A. Earthquake in Delhi
B. Glacial lake outburst flood in North Sikkim’s South Lhonak Lake
C. Forest fire in Maharashtra
D. Cyclone in Gujarat
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