The Big Picture - Floods and Dam Management

Dams are considered to be a vital element for the economic and energy growth. In our country over the years dams have played a lay role in fostering rapid and sustained agricultural and rural growth and a substantial investment has been done in building dams and related infrastructure .
India has more than 5000 large dams. 75 percent of these are more than 25 year old and about 164 dams are more than 100 year old. A poorly maintained , unsafe dam can be a hazard to both human life and environment. This has been proved through 36 dam failures in the past . In June this year the centre govt had approved the proposal for introduction of the Dam Safety Bill, 2018 which aims to develop uniform countrywide procedures for ensuring the safety of dams. Kerala which witnessed it's worst floods since 1924 is home to 53 large dams. As rain poured unabated and rivers overflowed at least 35 of these dams were thrown open releasing water on to the already flooded areas downstream.
Guest-
Dr. P. S. N Rao, Director, School of Planning & Architecture
Prof. Arun Kansal, Dean, School of Advanced Studies, TERI
N. K. Mathur, Member, D&R, Central Water Commission
R. L. Negi, Head of Projects, SJVN
Anchor- Vishal Dahiya