2024: Dam Induced Floods in India (and Bangladesh)

Flood in Sunamganj, Bangladesh. Photo. Abu Sufian Jewel=UNB

January 2, 2025SANDRP

India has seen several manmade flood disasters during the 2024 monsoon. The mismanagement of dams in Narmada valley including Bargi, and SSP inundated several dam affected villages despite adequate actionable advance warnings. The uninformed excess releases from DVC dams have led to flooding in large areas in West Bengal as repeatedly raised by the state government. The extensive floods in Tripura have revealed glaring loopholes in flood prevention and disaster management. (The mismanagement of a dam in Tripura was primarily responsible for the worst floods in 40 years in Feni and Cumilla regions of Bangladesh)

A view of a flood-affected area in Tripura. PTI Photo_11zon

The floods in the year have also washed away or damaged several earthen dams, tanks in Madhya Pradesh and Rajasthan affecting human population, agricultural lands in their vicinity. Even during Northeast monsoon, the sudden releases from Sathanur and Veedur dams in Tamil Nadu created avoidable flood damage in downstream areas. Similarly, the states of Gujarat, Telangana, Haryana and Delhi have seen deluge due to mismanagement or breaches in the canals. The case of Narmada canal waters flooding large areas of Little Runn of Kutch is quite concerning. 

Multiple incidents show that the growing encroachments of riverbed and floodplains have aggravated the flood damages. The IMD, CWC, dam managers and civic bodies have also faced questions and criticism for failing to improve flood management services in terms of forecast, coordination and communication.

The annual review underscores that given rise in excessive rainfall events, there is urgent need for prudent dam management and upgradation in forecasting services. Amid this, the launching of community driven flood forecast system in Chalakudy and Periyar basins in Kerala is indeed offering a hope for better flood management.

Dam Floods in Northeast (and Bangladesh)

Tripura Floods: Questions over disaster management Leaving aside the controversy about claim of Bangladesh that Dumbur dam releases brought floods in Bangladesh, the first question that arises is why did the dam not start releasing water starting from Aug 19 morning when dam was almost full and high rainfall had already started? Here we are not talking about action based on rainfall forecast, but based on actual rainfall in the catchment, which is surely going to end up in the river and reservoir. The claim of the project operators to media that the gates automatically operate when water reaches FRL and they cannot operate the gates manually is clearly wrong, the option of manual operation of gates is always available for safety of the dam. https://sandrp.in/2024/08/23/august-2024-tripura-floods-questions-over-disaster-management/  (23 Aug. 2024)

Deluge exposed chinks in flood prevention The IMD categorised the 51.7 mm of rainfall in low-lying South Tripura districts as extremely heavy as early as 18 August. However, experts have argued that authorities did not take preventive action for the next three days. Himanshu Thakkar, coordinator of the SANDRP, said disaster management teams should have taken measures to reduce the damage on the morning of 19 August. Experts believe the timely release of water from Dumboor dam could also have given the state more time to prepare for the flooding. https://theprint.in/india/how-tripura-deluge-has-exposed-chinks-in-indias-flood-prevention-mechanism/2238684/  (26 Aug. 2024)

Plan in advance to deal with floods: Experts Himanshu Thakkar of SANDRP said that such a heavy rainfall was bound to result in a havoc. “So, the planning and actions to prevent the crisis from worsening should have been taken well in advance.  They [authorities] could have started releasing water from Dumbur dam much earlier in lesser volumes rather than releasing it in one go,” he said. “The release of water should have been done after alerting all the downstream areas. The TDMA doesn’t have much information on their website and the Facebook page,” Thakkar pointed out. Regarding the impact of climate change on Tripura, Thakkar underlined India’s disaster management system at large needs an overhaul.  https://www.downtoearth.org.in/natural-disasters/tripuras-floods-classic-example-of-climate-change-intensifying-extreme-weather-events-experts (27 Aug. 2024)

Lessons from devastating floods “As an upstream state it becomes India’s duty to alert both Indian and Bangladeshi authorities,” said Himanshu Thakkar of SANDRP. “To prepare for such heavy rainfall, the authorities could have made space in the reservoir by releasing the water earlier than August 21,” said Thakkar.

An official from the Tripura State Electricity Corp Ltd (TSECL), which operates the Dumbur dam, also said that the gates were not operated manually. “Excess water was released automatically after the reservoir was full,” said Manoj Debberma, additional general manager (generation) of TSECL. https://scroll.in/article/1072470/behind-devastating-floods-in-tripura-and-bangladesh-record-rainfall-and-not-just-a-dam  (27 Aug. 2024)

The CM in a social media post shared important update from the official handle of DM Gomati, “It has been reported that, the water level in the Gomati river may rise more than the present level. Water from Dumbur Dam has to be released as water has accumulated to the critical level giving no scope to TPGL but to release some water.” https://tripuratimes.com/ttimes/tripura-cm-reviews-flood-situation-calls-for-timely-support-to-affected-people-18169.html  (20 Aug. 2024) CM Manik Saha on Jul 24 said the unprecedented floods have caused an estimated loss of Rs 15,000 crore, affecting infrastructure, agriculture, and other property. At least 24 people died due to the floods while 1.28 lakh have taken shelters in 557 relief camps. The CM said the floods have triggered 2,588 landslides, damaged 1,603 electric posts. https://www.deccanherald.com/india/tripura/tripura-floods-caused-rs-15000-crore-in-damage-cm-manik-saha-3163235  (24 Aug. 2024)

Assam NEEPCO dam triggers severe flooding Severe flooding has struck several regions following the opening of dam gates by the North Eastern Electric Power Corp Ltd (NEEPCO) from the Karbi Langpi HEP & Khandong dam, causing the Kopili & Borpani rivers to overflow. https://www.pratidintime.com/latest-assam-news-breaking-news-assam/neepco-opens-dam-gates-triggering-severe-flooding-in-assams-kampur (29 May 2024)

Improve coordination to stop Golaghat flood rerun While hearing a petition filed by Bobrubahan Saikia in 2018, the Guwahati high court has instructed the state govt and the NEEPCO to improve their coordination to prevent floods like the one that occurred in Golaghat district in 2018. The floods, which submerged several villages, were allegedly caused by the sudden release of water from the Doyang HEP in Nagaland’s Wokha district.  According to the petitioner’s counsel, R K Dutta, there was a lack of coordination between NEEPCO and the state authorities. He argued that the district authorities were not provided with timely information about the release of water from the Doyang river, which prevented the affected villagers from being evacuated or warned in time, resulting in heavy losses to their properties. https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/guwahati/improve-coordination-to-stop-golaghat-flood-rerun-hc-tells-govt-neepco/articleshow/110952156.cms  (13 June 2024)

Kurichu dam releases to blame for Beki flooding “Since the Beki river is carrying almost all the discharge of a huge catchment area, its flood hazard is severe. The river’s bank is being eroded during its meandering course through Barpeta and Baksa districts. There have been a number of devastating floods starting from 2004 due to release of excess water from the Kurichu Dam in Bhutan. This has created severe flood havoc including erosion in almost all the (river’s) reaches,” stated the DPR of the WRD.

As a result, the DPR stated, the Beki river which was flowing westward in its upstream course and eastward downstream, changed its path. This caused severe erosion in the Manas National Park upstream, which has become a threat to the riparian area. https://www.downtoearth.org.in/environment/beki-was-human-folly-to-blame-for-brahmaputra-tributary-changing-course-displacing-state-highway  (5 July 2024)

Arunachal Pradesh Pare HEP causes floods In Papum Pare district, a cloudburst in Sagalee triggered the Pare Hydropower Project (PHEP) to release a huge amount of water, and the district administration has cautioned the public against venturing near the water bodies. The swollen Pare River has also flooded the compound of the govt girls’ residential school in Sarkha Happa. https://arunachaltimes.in/index.php/2024/07/02/rains-wreak-havoc-in-arunachal/ (2 July 2024) “A record 1334 Cumecs of water has been discharged from the Pare Dam at 8:00am of July 1, which is the highest since 2014. In 2023 the highest water discharge from the dam was 688 Cumecs on 21.06.2023.” Gagung added while appealing the public to be alert and abide by the safety guidelines issued by the Dist Admin. https://arunachal24.in/arunachal-cloud-burst-at-sagalee-triggers-pare-hydro-project-to-release-huge-amount-of-water/  (01 July 2024)

Lack of Early warning Systems at Dams In 2021, a parliamentary panel asked the Centre to set up modern weather stations in the upstream catchment of the Northeast’s dams and install sirens to alert people downstream of floods. However, the region continues to lack state-of-the-art warning systems. https://indianexpress.com/article/opinion/editorials/why-assam-keeps-flooding-9435619/ (6 Jul 2024)

DVC Dams Flood West Bengal

DVC discharges 1.4L cusecs water Damodar Valley Corporation (DVC) on Aug 3 released around 1,38,000 cusecs water from Maithon and Panchet dams, raising fears of widespread flood across south Bengal, which has been receiving steady rainfall. The move prompted the state govt to ask DVC to stagger the release and announce a series of measures to deal with a possible flood situation. https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/kolkata/dvc-releases-14l-cusec-water-state-requests-staggered-release/articleshow/112255388.cms (4 Aug 2024)W Bangal CM Mamata Banerjee on Aug 4 requested Jharkhand CM Hemant Soren to regulate water release from his state’s dams like Tenughat (DVC says it has to release water from downstream dams Maithon and Panchet if water is released from Tenughat), saying large discharges were causing “manmade” floods in Bengal. https://www.telegraphindia.com/west-bengal/large-discharges-causing-manmade-floods-in-bengal-mamata-plea-to-hemant-soren/cid/2038629 (5 Aug 2024) With Banerjee blaming Jharkhand and the DVC for the grim flood situation in south Bengal, and barring entry of commercial vehicles from the neighbouring state at three border points, the Centre on Sep 20 wrote to her, saying the state was kept in the loop about the release of water, the water was released to avoid any dam failures. https://indianexpress.com/article/cities/kolkata/mamata-banerjee-damodar-valley-project-bengal-floods-9578917/  (21 Sept. 2024)

Mamta threatens to sever ties with DVC W Bengal CM worte to PM, saying that if DVC continues to unilaterally release water to flood downstream Bengal, the state will sever all ties with DVC. https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/west-bengal/west-bengal-floods-cm-mamata-banerjee-writes-to-pm-modi-threatens-to-sever-ties-with-dvc/article68663700.ece (20 Sep 2024) Mamata Banerjee on Sep 24 said that the Centre can shift the DVC headquarters from Kolkata, asserting that she does not want an organisation, which releases water in the state leading to death of people, to stay here. https://www.telegraphindia.com/india/no-problem-if-damodar-valley-corporation-headquarters-is-shifted-from-bengal-mamata-banerjee/cid/2050286 (24 Sep 2024) State Power secretary Santanu Basu stepped down from the Board of DVC, officials said on Sep 22. The Chief Engineer, Irrigation and Waterways has quit the Damodar Valley Reservoir Regulation Committee (DVRRC), they said.

Basu in an email to DVC chairman on Sept 21 said, “In view of the unprecedented and uncontrolled release of water by the DVC from its dam systems, leading to widespread inundation causing immense sufferings to the people in vast areas of the state, I do hereby tender my resignation as the member of state from the Board of DVC.” https://www.telegraphindia.com/west-bengal/bengal-power-secretary-steps-down-from-dvc-board-amid-war-over-release-of-water-from-reservoirs/cid/2049687 (22 Sep 2024) There is no provision for the resignation of representatives of partner state govts from the DVC Board, a senior official said on Sep 24. https://www.deccanherald.com/india/west-bengal/no-provision-for-resignation-of-representatives-of-partner-govts-from-dvc-board-official-3204115 (24 Sep 2024)

Jharkhand’s refusal to joint dam management The DVC, a central PSU under the ministry of power, takes the WB govt into the loop at every stage before releasing water from its Maithon & Panchet dams. However, the same was not done by the Jharkhand govt while water was released from its Tenughat Dam, leaving the downstream areas off-guard and aggravating the flood situation. The WB govt knew it, and that’s why it first reacted against Jharkhand & went for a blockade. https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india/west-bengal-floods-jharkhands-refusal-to-bring-its-dam-within-the-ambit-of-a-joint-committee-adds-to-the-crisis/articleshow/113563938.cms (22 Sep 2024)

DVC suspects hidden tributaries feeding dams without rain Even without any rain in the last three days inflow of thousands of acre-feet of water to the upper dam reservoirs continues. Senior water commission officials suspect certain ‘hidden’ feeders responsible for the flow of water to the dams. https://www.thestatesman.com/bengal/water-experts-suspect-hidden-tributaries-for-feeding-dams-despite-no-rain-1503345745.html  (22 Sept. 2024)

Mamta slams DVC for releasing water without notice Banerjee on Sep 26 again criticised the DVC for allegedly releasing more water without notifying her govt. https://www.deccanherald.com/india/west-bengal/worried-if-rain-doesnt-stop-mamata-slams-dvc-for-releasing-water-without-notifying-bengal-govt-3208792 (27 Sept. 2024)

Dams a double-edged sword in annual flood crisis While dams were designed to store excess water & prevent downstream flooding, their operations are now being questioned by state officials, experts, and the people who suffer when their rivers break free of control. At the heart of the flood management infrastructure in the region is the DVC. https://www.thestatesman.com/supplements/8thday/dams-and-flood-management-a-double-edged-sword-in-south-bengals-annual-flood-crisis-  (11 Nov. 2024)

DVC Floods: Experts remedial report The ‘man-made’ flood devastation that has caused the Lower Damodar Basin to suffer every year over the years, possibly has an answer planned 30 years ago in the river about 216 kms upstream from the Durgapur Barrage, and hydrology experts from Guwahati have now been assigned to dust off the solution originally suggested by the planners. Over the last 30 years, however, the problem of land acquisition has only worsened in Dumka district of the neighbouring Jharkhand, causing a bottleneck for the proposed solution of building a new Balpahari dam in Dumka on the Barakar river – a key tributary of the Damodar river. “The Jharkhand govt has not been able to navigate the land acquisition issue as the indigenous community has been very reluctant to vacate,” said a senior DVC official. https://www.thestatesman.com/bengal/man-made-floods-hydrology-experts-to-table-remedial-report-by-september-1503329006.html (7 Aug 2024)

Farakka Barrage CM blames Farakka for floods Banerjee on Sep 29 blamed the Farakka Barrage for the deluge in parts of north Bengal. “The Centre did not take up maintenance work of the Farakka Barrage, and its water-bearing capacity has reduced to a great extent, despite our repeated reminders to them,” she said. “Farakka Dam has not engaged in dredging. With proper dredging, [they] could have held another 4 lakh cusecs of water,” she said. https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/west-bengal/flood-situation-alarming-in-north-bengal-centre-not-extending-help-mamata/article68697534.ece (29 Sep 2024)

Bargi, SSP & Other Dam Induced Floods in Madhya Pradesh, Gujarat

Madhya Pradesh Narmada dams flood villages Following continuous heavy rains, the dams on the Narmada river in Madhya Pradesh are filled to the brim. Since the gates of many of these dams not being opened, flood situation has arisen in the villages along the Narmada river. After the upstream villages have been flooded, the gates of some dams are opened to reduce flood impact. One of such dams is Bargi whose 19 gates have are being opened after the backwaters have flooded dam affected villages. Due to the negligence of the officials, flood situation has also arisen in the displaced settlements of Bijasen village of Shivni district adjoining Jabalpur and Padmi villages of Mandla. https://hindi.downtoearth.org.in/natural-disasters/flood-occurred-due-to-not-opening-the-gates-of-dams-on-narmada (12 Sept. 2024) Raj Kumar Sinha, president of the Bargi dam displaced and affected association, says that the administration did not take necessary steps in time despite the forecast of rain and the warning of the IMD. He also said that the gates were not opened on time to control the rising water level, due to which the displaced settlements were flooded and many villages suffered heavy losses. https://www.deshgaon.com/voices/bargi-dam-demand-for-safety-of-displaced-people-appeal-to-keep-the-gates-open/ (13 Sept. 2024) The situation of the villagers of Padmi Narayanganj Mandla displaced from Bargi Dam is the most worrying. Due to heavy rains and water being released from the dam, water has entered the houses of these villages. The houses and crops of the villagers have been submerged, which has put their livelihood in danger. https://www.deshgaon.com/voices/floods-worsen-in-madhya-pradesh-as-bargi-dam-releases-water-displaced-villagers-in-crisis/  (11 Sept. 2024) Ekalbara’s anniversary: The village drowned in the currents of Narmada. https://www.deshgaon.com/special-stories/voices-from-ekalbara-a-village-drowned-in-the-name-of-development/  (15 Sept. 2024) Because the gates of Tawa Dam have also been opened, the Narmada river is rapidly moving towards the danger mark. https://www.patrika.com/bhopal-news/monsoon-fury-imd-issues-rain-alerts-warns-of-flash-flood-in-several-district-danger-of-flood-in-narmada-river-18978311  (11 Sept. 2024)

Sardar Sarovar Project Displacement intensifies as SSP level reach 136 m As the water level of Sardar Sarovar Dam has reached above 136 meters Narmada Bachao Andolan started Jal Satyagraha in Kasravad village. Due to this water level rise, the houses and farms of thousands of families in hundreds of villages of Narmada Valley are on the verge of submergence. This situation has come when the process of rehabilitation is still incomplete, and the life and future of many families is insecure. Even in the monsoon of 2023, houses and thousands of acres of agricultural land in more than 170 villages were submerged due to rising water level. https://www.deshgaon.com/voices/narmada-valley-faces-rising-waters-homes-and-hopes-on-the-brink-of-submergence/ (14 Sept. 2024) Medha Patkar along with affected villagers stage Jal Satyagrha demanding rehabilitation of SSP affected villages. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VeOWCNFxd4M (15 Sept. 2024)

Prevent submergence in Narmada Valley Friends of the Earth India demands that the Govt of India ministry of Jal Shakti and the Gujarat Government, which owns and operates the Sardar Sarovar Narmada Nigam Ltd — take urgent measures and immediately open more gates of the Sardar Sarovar Dam (SSD) in an orderly way, to save thousands of families from being drowned and their houses and property destroyed. The Narmada Control Authority must immediately bring down dangerously high-water levels in the reservoir to save human and non-human lives and property of villagers upstream of the Sardar Sarovar Dam. https://countercurrents.org/2024/09/friends-of-the-earth-india-demand-urgent-action-in-order-to-prevent-submergence-in-narmada-valley-open-the-gates-of-sardar-sarovar-dam-to-bring-water-levels-below-135m/  (16 Sept. 2024) A group of 85 organisations have raised alarm over the precarious situation in the downstream villages along the flow of SSP in Narmada district. The activists urge the authorities to release excess water in the dam’s reservoir as they fear that the high-water level in the reservoir would submerge villages and displace people. https://www.downtoearth.org.in/amp/story/water/gujarat-activists-urge-authorities-to-release-excess-water-as-thousands-face-submergence-by-sardar-sarovar-dam  (16 Sept. 2024)

Imprudent management could create avoidable flood disaster? Narmada Valley could again be facing avoidable flood disaster this month due to imprudent management of dams in the basin. Most large dams like Indira Sagar, Sardar Sarovar, Bargi, Tawa and Omkareshwar are full or almost full. IMD has predicted flash floods over the next 2 days. More rain is on the way. CWC has forecast massive increase in inflows. The dams are still not taking advance action by releasing water to the extent downstream river can take the outflows. There is need to urgently take action in this regard as there is sufficient actionable information for advance release of water as this shows. https://sandrp.in/2024/09/11/imprudent-management-of-ssp-and-other-narmada-dams-could-create-avoidable-flood-disaster-in-sept-2024/ (11 Sep 2024)

Will SSP AGAIN create avoidable flood disaster in Sept 2024? Considering the water storage situation at Sardar Sarovar, Indira Sagar, Omkareshwar, Bargi and Tawa dams, there is urgently needed to release water now to create flood cushion for the likely inflows in next few days, to avoid creating a man-made flood disaster. Particularly Sardar Sarovar dam needs to start increased releases considering the avoidable flood disasters it created including in 2019, 2020 and Sept 2023. https://sandrp.in/2024/09/01/will-sardar-sarovar-again-create-avoidable-flood-disaster-in-sept-2024/  (01 Sept. 2024)

India needs better dam management system The sudden release of water from the Sardar Sarovar dam in Sep 2023 is another case in point. A report by the SANDRP states that despite advance information about rains upstream, water from the Narmada River was released at once, flooding the low-lying areas. The NDSA’s preliminary report also found that crucial time was lost in taking preparatory action. https://www.theweek.in/theweek/current/2024/09/14/india-has-a-robust-dam-management-system-on-paper-but-inadequate-maintenance-and-climate-change-pose-serious-threats.html (22 Sep 2024) SANDRP issued a warning, supported by diagrams, that the SSD is at risk of causing flash floods in the Narmada Valley this year, similar to incidents in 2023. https://www.counterview.net/2024/09/narmada-valley-again-facing-flood.html (17 Sep 2024)

Area around SoU submerged “According to TAD, out of 206 reservoirs in the state, 59 reservoirs are 100 per cent full. 72 reservoirs are on high alert, 22 are on alert, 9 are under flood warning and 7 rivers have overflowed. SSD holds 88.74 % of total storage capacity,” the release stated. https://www.timesnownews.com/city/ahmedabad/watch-heavy-gujarat-rain-submerges-area-around-sardar-sarovar-dam-and-statue-of-unity-article-112811858 (25 Aug 2024) Parts of a road leading to the Statue of Unity has been washed away due to heavy rain & floods. https://thewire.in/environment/part-of-road-leading-to-statue-of-unity-washed-away-in-gujarat  (31 Aug. 2024)

Other Dam Induced Flood Incidents

Tamil Nadu Sathanur dam: Could floods have been avoided? Sathanur Dam was already 95% even before the cyclone Fengal struck the area. https://www.thehindu.com/data/what-went-wrong-at-sathanur-dam/article68965271.ece  (10 Dec. 2024) Same dam caused flood warnings in last week of Oct. 2024 also. A flood alert to 15 villages along the bank of the Thenpennai River has been issued by WRD as water was released from the Sathanur dam in Tiruvannamalai on Oct 27, after the level reached 114.5 ft as against the dam’s total capacity of 119 feet. The water from the dam has been released for the third time since Sep. https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/tamil-nadu/flood-alert-issued-to-15-villages-in-tamil-nadu-after-water-from-sathanur-dam-in-tiruvannamalai-released/article68802711.ece (27 Oct 2024) Flood alert to 14 villages along the bank of Thenpennai river has been issued by the WRD as water was released from the Sathanur dam on Dec 1, after the level reached 118.05 ft. https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/tamil-nadu/flood-alert-issued-to-14-villages-as-water-from-sathanur-dam-in-tiruvannamalai-released/article68934179.ece (2 Dec 2024)

Sathanur, Veedur dams flood rural areas Opening the shutters of Sathanur Dam has caused the water level in Thenpennaiyar to rise to an alarming level. The water level in Sankaraparani River has also increased due to the release of water from Veedur Dam in Villupuram district. The opening of both the dams in Tamil Nadu has its impact in the rural areas of Puducherry, the official added.

The opening of Sathanur dam on Dec 2 led to a flood-like situation in the Bahour, Arachikuppam, Sooriankuppam, Manamedu and Irulansanthai villages. https://www.thehindu.com/news/cities/puducherry/rural-areas-affected-by-the-release-of-water-from-sathanur-veedur-dams-in-tn/article68938584.ece  (02 Dec. 2024)

Villagers left in chaos after sudden release The sudden release of water to the tune 1.8 lakh cusecs from Sathanur dam on Dec 1 night may have triggered the flooding in many areas along the Thenpennai river in Tiruvannamalai, Villupuram, and Cuddalore districts, but lack of specific details about the level of flooding or pointed instruction to move to designated relief shelters, during the initial hours of the calamity, seem to have put the residents to avoidable trouble. While the TN govt had said that it did everything as per the standard operating procedure and alerted the people along the banks of the river, a visit to many of these villages showed that a majority of the residents either did not receive proper alerts or the communication was insufficient. https://www.newindianexpress.com/states/tamil-nadu/2024/Dec/05/sathanur-dam-flood-alert-failure-tiruvannamalai-villagers-left-in-chaos-after-sudden-release (6 Dec 2024) Officials say that in 1972, the dam discharged the highest quantum of 2.54 lakh cusecs, though it had the maximum discharge level of 1.9 lakh cusecs. Between 1998 and 2000, an additional spillway was formed to let 75,000 cusecs. https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/tamil-nadu/political-row-erupts-over-floodwater-release-from-sathanur-dam/article68943801.ece  (04 Dec. 2024) Denying the charges of sudden high releases from Sathanur dam without issuing any warnings, WRD Minister Duraimurugan on Dec 3 said that five flood warnings were issued from time to time about the release of water from Sathanur and at midnight, the inflow became unpredictable. https://www.newindianexpress.com/states/tamil-nadu/2024/Dec/04/minister-duraimurugan-denies-charge-over-release-of-dam-water-says-govt-action-saved-lives  (4 Dec 2024)

Karnataka Flooding worsens as excess water is released from KRS, Kabini dams The flood situation turned from bad to worse on Jul 31 as the authorities released 1.5 lakh cusecs water from KRS dam near Mysuru, while 50,000 cusecs of water is let out of Kabini dam in HD Kote.

Outflow from KRS dam stepped up to 1.7 lakh cusecs of water at 8 am. KRS has released this amount of water for the first time this century. The last time it did so was in the 1990s. Entry to visitors to KRS dam and Brindavan Gardens banned till Aug 2. https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/mysuru/flooding-worsens-as-excess-water-released-from-krs-and-kabini-dams/articleshow/112180691.cms  (01 Aug. 2024)

KRS dam: Retaining wall of water discharge basin collapses With the Cauvery Neeravari Nigam Limited (CNNL) releasing water from the KRS reservoir to river, the retaining wall of the water basin, abutting Naguvana Farm, in Srirangapatna, Mandya district has collapsed. The retaining wall, which was renovated around 6 months back, collapsed just few hours after reservoir gates were open inviting the wrath of the people, who have accused the authorities of carrying out sub-standard works. https://starofmysore.com/release-of-water-from-krs-reservoir-retaining-wall-of-water-discharge-basin-collapses/  (24 July 2024)

Ghataprabha overflows due to dam discharge Floods amidst Summer scarcity: The Ghataprabha river in Belagavi district is facing floods leading to waterlogged streets due to overflow of Raja Lakhamgouda dam, also known as Hidkal dam in Hukkeri Taluka. https://newskarnataka.com/karnataka/flooding-in-karnataka-as-ghataprabha-river-overflows-due-to-dam-discharge/08042024  (08 April 2024)

Maharashtra Bridge demanded after Middle Vaitarna dam release killed 8 Villagers from Savarde, on the border of Thane and Palghar districts, launched a protest on Sep 30 at the Middle Vaitarna dam site to demand a proper bridge in the area and to demand justice for several villagers who fell victim to the strong current of the water discharged from the dam. Local MLA Sunil Bhusara announced plans for a temporary ₹50-lakh iron bridge, but it is currently awaiting approval from guardian minister Ravindra Chavan. Once approved, construction is expected to begin within a month.

Savarde and Dapora villages, located 5km downstream from the Middle Vaitarna Dam—the third-tallest dam in Maharashtra—have faced increasing danger since the dam’s construction in 2012. While the dam, which stores 455 million litres of water for Mumbai, was previously providing advance notice of water releases, villagers said that the alerts had ceased for the past three years. The lack of communication and inadequate transportation facilities, including the washed-away previous bridge, have resulted in at least 8 deaths. https://www.hindustantimes.com/cities/mumbai-news/villagers-demand-bridge-after-8-deaths-from-middle-vaitarna-dam-water-release-101727724336462.html  (01 Oct. 2024)

Gujarat 24 rivers, 140 reservoirs overflowing Several rivers and reservoirs are overflowing and water from Ajwa Reservoir and Pratappura Reservoirs was released into Vishwamitri River leading to the inundation of several low-lying areas and causing water-logging at other places in Vadodara. 140 reservoirs and dams, and 24 rivers were flowing above the danger mark. https://www.livemint.com/news/india/gujarat-floods-death-toll-dams-rivers-pm-modi-overflowing-waterlogging-search-and-rescue-efforts-bhupendrabhai-patel-11724891884435.html  (29 Aug. 2024)

Morbi bears brunt The Morbi district admin released 2.67 lakh cusecs from the Machhu dam, which forced the closure between Samakhiali and Maliya of National Highway 27, which connects Kutch and Ahmedabad. The Samakhiali-Maliya highway has turned into a river. Ten of the nine dams in Morbi district are overflowing. The bridge on the Morsal dam at Habiyasar village in Chotila taluka of Surendranagar district collapsed, because of the water overflowing. https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/rajkot/morbi-district-hit-by-heavy-rain-and-flooding/articleshow/112850033.cms (28 Aug 2024) https://www.hindustantimes.com/cities/jaipur-news/at-least-12-dead-11-missing-after-heavy-rainfall-in-gujarat-parts-of-rajasthan-101724766070379.html  (27 Aug. 2024)

Madhya Pradesh Tonga dam breach floods villages A breach in earthen Tonga dam has flooded half a dozen villages in Sabalgarh tehsil of Morena district. The breach occurred in intervening night of August 12-13, 2024. The dam was filled upto about 80 percent at the time of the breach. However, National Register of Large Dams should have listed such a dam, but there is no dam by the name of Tonga dam (neither in NRLD 2019, nor in in 2023 edition), nor does NRLD list any MP dam commissioned in 1889, the earliest commissioned large dam listed is in 1895. The reservoir capacity listed above seems too high for it not to be listed in NRLD. https://sandrp.in/2024/09/11/august-2024-tonga-dam-breach-floods-madhya-pradesh-villages/ (11 Sept. 2024)

Karchul earthen dam breach a wake up call On Aug 28, the earthen wall of Karchul Dam in Shahdol district in Madhya Pradesh breached, requiring midnight operation to shift people to safety. Local people have said that the dam was not maintained properly. Since most of India’s dams are earthen dam, and their maintenance and spillway capacity far from adequate, this is another wake up call for Dam Safety in India. https://sandrp.in/2024/09/01/aug-2024-karchul-earthen-dam-breach-in-shahdol-madhya-pradesh-a-wake-up-call/  (01 Sept. 2024)

Newly built dam washed away -The newly constructed Amrit Sarovar dam in Jabalpur at a cost of Rs 30 lakhs was washed away in the rain. Due to the breach, the crops of many farmers have been ruined. The Deputy Sarpanch and the affected farmers have complained about this to the District Panchayat. https://lalluram.com/rain-exposed-poor-construction-newly-constructed-amrit-sarovar-dam-worth-rs-30-lakhs-washed-away/ (9 Aug 2024)

Story of how quarters were made in Bhopal in submergence areas, now to be remade elsewhere. (Dainik Bhaskar 19 Sept. 2024)

Rajasthan ₹30 cr dam started leaking in first filling. The dam built under the Roshanbari Minor Irrigation Project in Jhalawar region received water for the first time and started leaking. It has been two years since this dam was built and it cost about Rs 29 crore 85 lakh. The dam is filled for the first time and the leakage is a question mark on its construction quality. https://www.patrika.com/jhalawar-news/the-dam-worth-rs-30-crores-was-filled-for-the-first-time-and-started-leaking-18873459  (28 July 2024)

2 dams broke in Badli Due to the lack of maintenance of dams and reservoirs by the administration before the rains, Khatolai and Jhaav dams broke in Gram Panchayat Badli. This water reached Rampura Anicut, where there was a sheet of water there. https://www.patrika.com/bassi-news/heavy-rain-in-rajasthan-the-first-heavy-rain-exposed-the-poor-arrangements-of-the-government-2-dams-broke-in-barli-18885025 (02 Aug. 2024)

Ramsagar dam broke in Tonk The first rain of monsoon has caused tremendous devastation in Malpura subdivision of Tonk district. Due to the breaking of Ramsagar dam, water has entered the school and houses. Flood-like conditions have arisen. The village has been cut off. The administration has issued an alert. https://navbharattimes.indiatimes.com/state/rajasthan/tonk/rajasthan-flood-like-situation-in-tonk-due-to-heavy-rains-ramsagar-dam-broke-water-entered-schools/articleshow/111528405.cms (06 July 2024)

Canal Mismanagement/Breach Flood Incidents

Sardar Sarovar Project Narmada canal waters flood Kutch Rann By Pankti Jog The Narmada waters are continuously flowing in the Little Rann of Kutch for the last two plus months, spreading to up to 40 km inside, inundating widespread areas of the Rann. The Narmada waters are released in large quantity in rivers like Rupen, Banas and small-big streams in Surendranagar, Patan, Kutch districts streams for the purpose of irrigation, but they reach the Rann areas, thus get wasted. This happens mostly Dec onwards. In fact, floods in Rann due to Narmada waters are a recurring phenomena and this has been going on for the past several years.

One wonders: What is the reason for releasing Narmada waters in Banas and Rupen rivers? Has the Sardar Sarovar Narmada Nigam Limited (SSNNL) estimated the water requirements of the farmers on the periphery of the Rann in order to release reasonable amount of water? What is the planning by the SSNNL for storing extra waters that are not used by farmers? Who is responsible for such a huge loss of Narmada waters? Who will give compensation for the livelihood loss of the Agariyas? https://www.counterview.net/2024/02/adverse-impact-on-saltpans-biodiversity.html  (03 Feb. 2024)

Narmada canal water destroying salt pans in LRK  Agariyas (salt pan workers) cultivating salt in the Little Rann of Kutch bordering Halvad in Morbi district have alleged that Narmada water flowing from canals of SSNNL is flooding their salt pans, threatening to destroy salt that will soon be ready for harvest. Agariyas said their salt pans abutting Ajitgadh, Mangadh, Tikar, Jogad and Kidi villages, among others, have been flooded by Narmada water streaming down from SSNNL’s Maliya branch canal to Little Rann of Kutch through local rivers and rivulets.

Harinesh Pandya, president of NGO Agariya Hit Rakshak Manch said the state will have to find a long-term solution. “Narmada dam project is worth Rs 90,000 crore and still, so much water is going waste in Surendranagar and Morbi even as farmers of Kutch are waiting for their share. This waste has to stop, not to protect the livelihood of agariyas and farmers but to also prevent damage that freshwater can do to desert ecology,” he added.

Pandya said Narmada water has flooded the Little Rann of Kutch tract around 40 km long and 7 km across Surendranagar and Morbi. “There is similar flooding at Santalpur in Patan and Rapar in Kutch but there have been no complaints, as the forest department has prevented agariyas from cultivating salt in those areas this year.” https://indianexpress.com/article/cities/ahmedabad/narmada-water-destroying-salt-pans-in-little-rann-of-kutch-say-agariyas-9149932/  (08 Feb. 2024)

GSHRC issues notices over LRK flooding The Gujarat State Human Rights Commission (GSHRC) has taken note of the flooding in the Little Rann of Kutch and issued notices to the district collectors of Surendra Nagar, Morbi and Kutch. This flooding of the arid region, usually dry for eight months, has raised concerns of environmental destruction and potential human rights violations of those living in the area. The notice was issued after a complaint by Harinesh Pandya on Jan 23 2024, call for replies from the district magistrates by Feb 12. https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/ahmedabad/gshrc-notices-flooding-in-little-rann-of-kutch/articleshow/107308370.cms  (01 Feb. 2024)

Telangana Peddavagu bund breach inundates several villages The bund of Peddavagu Project at Narayanapuram of Ashwaraopet mandal in Bhadadri-Kothagudem district of Telangana was breached due to heavy inflow into it. In view of heavy inflow, the irrigation officials have lifted two gates, but failed operate third gate, which was not lifted since its installation due to the technical problem. With this, it is not possible to maintain balance between inflow and outflow, resulting in the breach of the bund.

The bund was breached for 40 meters length at right canal at mid-night. Several houses at Gummadavalli and Kothuru were submerged in the floods. The people of these villages have been already evacuated and shifted to a shelter in a govt residential school near the villages. It was expected that the crops in over 100 acres have been damaged and nearly 100 cattle were washed away. https://www.deccanchronicle.com/southern-states/telangana/bund-of-peddavagu-project-breached-flood-water-reaching-several-villages-1811130  (19 July 2024) Three villages in Telangana and 15 villages in Andhra Pradesh were affected by the breach, which emptied the water in the project. People spent the night on the roofs. NDRF personnel rescued 28 people trapped in floods using 2 helicopters. https://www.thenewsminute.com/news/breach-in-peddavagu-project-inundates-villages-in-telangana-andhra-pradesh  (19 July 2024)

Haryana Khanpur minor breach floods Jhajjar villages Following heavy rains on Sep 13, a breach happened in Khanpur minor and flood waters entered the streets and houses and farmlands of the adjoining villages Goriya, Khanpur, Khorda, Bahu Jholri. About 600 acres of crops got submerged. When the villagers woke up next morning, they found about two to three feet waterlogging in the streets of the village. https://www.haribhoomi.com/state-local/haryana/jhajjar/news/rainfall-brought-disaster-jhajjar-khanupar-minor-broke-600-acres-crops-submerged-public-life-affected-47052  (14 Sept. 2024) Due to a breach in Khanpur and Chidiya Minor, flood-like conditions have arisen in Olympian Manu Bhaker’s village Goriya and nearby village Khorda. As the day progressed, water started reaching the streets of the village. A population of about 12000 of both the villages has been affected. More than 30 families living especially in the lower area had to migrate. https://www.jagran.com/haryana/jhajjar-flood-situation-in-manu-bhaker-village-situation-worsened-in-two-villages-due-to-breakdown-of-khanpur-chidiya-miner-villagers-forced-to-migrate-23796994.html  (14 Sept. 2024)

Relevant Reports

Study Dam induced river flooding in Peninsular India A recently published study, see details given below throws light on the role of groundwater contribution to baseflow in rivers and their flooding in Peninsular India’s river like Narmada, Tapi, Mahanadi, Godavari, Krishna and Cauvery. The found that while baseflow contributes more to river flows, its share in the flood event flow magnitude decreases as surface runoff accounts for a larger proportion of flood discharge on the day of the flood.

The study is not only very useful in its own right, but it also underlines the need for many more studies on Rivers in India, one of the least studied subjects. One of the reasons for such studies not being done or delayed, as pointed out in the study is the non-availability of stream flow data in public domain. It is high time that the govt and CWC make these public promptly on daily basis. https://sandrp.in/2024/05/06/drp-nb-060524-study-on-dam-induced-river-flooding-in-peninsular-india/  (06 May 2024) Integrating flood forecasting with dam releases could be beneficial in controlling fluvial floods. Generally, these floods occur during the monsoon season, when dams are nearly full and have limited capacity to accommodate inflow during extreme rainfall events. As a result, dam engineers are often forced to execute sudden releases of water from dams. Effective flood forecasting, with a sufficient lead time, would help dam engineers manage dam water levels and maintain sufficient flood storage capacity. https://www.downtoearth.org.in/interviews/water/-baseflow-one-of-most-important-factors-driving-river-flooding-in-peninsular-india–95864  (29 April 2024)

Report Why IMD & CWC are unable to help improve flood management?  The floods happened in rivers due to rainfall in their catchments, but IMD’s reporting of rainfall river basin wise continues to remain callous to put it most charitably. This year, IMD has also stopped giving state-wise, sub-division wise and national rainfall reporting maps that it gave till last year. In fact, we see no real improvement in IMD’s forecasting and reporting of rainfall for many years now.

The performance of CWC, another key agency that can help manage floods is far from credible. A case in point is reservoir operations like in case of Sardar Sarovar Dam in Sept 2023. The trouble is both IMD and CWC are mostly holy cows for most of the media. There is a lot that can be done to improve the performance of these key agencies that can help manage floods, say beginning with better transparency and accountability. Judiciary, media, civil society, governments and elected representatives can do a lot to achieve this. https://sandrp.in/2024/07/08/drp-nb-080724-why-imd-cwc-are-unable-to-improve-forecasts-reporting-help-improve-flood-management/  (08 July 2024)

How flood protection structures heighten flood vulnerability Since 2007, more than Rs. 13,000 crores (Rs. 130 billion) have been spent in flood protection measures through national schemes. In fact, data from the CWC shows that despite high investments in flood mitigation measures, the number of people affected and the economic damage resulting from floods have not reduced.

The researchers assessed the impacts of 132 flood protection structures in both basins – 60 in Ganga basin & 72 in the Brahmaputra basin. The analysis found that the social-vulnerability index increased generally from 2005–2006 to 2018–2019. Even smaller, lower cost flood protection structures produced a “levee effect,” compared to bigger, more visible ones. “The increase in vulnerability in the vicinity of FPS can be attributed to the increased population and economic activity in the regions around FPS,” the study adds.

Between the Ganga and Brahmaputra basins, the Brahmaputra showed greater vulnerability resulting from flood protection structures. This was because the Brahmaputra saw a bigger surge in built-up areas along the floodplains compared to the Ganga. https://india.mongabay.com/2024/11/how-flood-protection-structures-heighten-flood-vulnerability/  (29 Nov. 2024)

Lack of river management reason for Krishna floods Experts held massive construction on the river flood plains in both Krishna and Godavari basins as a contributing factor.  “One of the main reasons for floods in Krishna river is lack of proper river management by the riparian states. Maharashtra and Karnataka impound Krishna water in their dams to the brim before releasing to the downstream. This is causing floods in their respective states due to backwaters of these dams. For example, Sangli city and its surroundings suffer from floods whenever water is impounded in Almatti dam by Karnataka,” Veeramalla Prakash, chairman of Indian Peninsular River Basin Council (IPRBC) said. “All the dams in Maharashtra and Karnataka were filled to the brim in July itself. So, was the case with Srisailam and Nagarjunasagar,” said Prakash.

The Munneru river, typically a dry tributary, swelled unexpectedly, causing a flash flood in just an hour between 10-11 am on Sep 1. With no prior warning or announcement from the authorities, the flood devastated Khammam, for the first time in last 70 years fficials said. https://www.hindustantimes.com/india-news/lack-of-river-management-a-key-reason-for-floods-in-krishna-expert-101726426821992.html (16 Sep 2024)

‘Flying rivers’ causing devastating floods in India An average atmospheric river is about 2,000km (1,242 miles) long, 500km wide and nearly 3km deep – although they are now getting wider and longer, with some more than 5,000km long. And yet, they are invisible to the human eye. Global studies have shown that atmospheric water vapour has increased by up to 20% since the 1960s. https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/cv2g9x47441o (2 Aug 2024) -In the last five years, for instance, the number of stations receiving ‘very heavy’ and ‘extremely heavy rainfall’ in July has more than doubled across the country, hitting a high of 1,113 and 205, respectively, in 2023, according to the IMD. This July, as many as 1,030 stations recorded ‘very heavy’ rainfall and 193 saw ‘extremely heavy’ rainfall, which means around 40 stations reported ‘very heavy rainfall’ every day of the month, IMD stated in its report released August 1, 2024. https://www.downtoearth.org.in/natural-disasters/rivers-in-the-sky-are-becoming-more-intense-in-india-can-be-linked-with-devastating-floods-heat-stress  (05 Aug. 2024) Climate crisis forces shift in forecasting approaches. (Jayashree Nandi). https://www.hindustantimes.com/india-news/climate-crisis-forces-shift-in-forecasting-approaches-101720376700116.html  (08 July 2024)

Kerala Chalakudy community demand Prudent Dam Management Plan One of the heartening development this week is from Kerala, where Chalakudy river community held a satyagraha to demand proper integrated dam management plan in the Chalakudy River basin to minimize flood risks. It is rather rare that communities come out for such a demand. It was also great to see that the satyagraha was supported by Chalakudy Puzha Samrakshan Samiti, Chalakudy municipal chairman and also environmentalists.

The satyagraha in fact had specific demand for each of the dams included in the Paramibikulam Aliyar Project, including in Kerala and upstream Tamil Nadu. We hope the Kerala government positively responds to these demands at the earliest.  There is need for much more widespread awareness in river basins across the country regarding the potential flood risks from upstream dams and also pressure on the dam authorities to have more transparent, accountable and participatory dam management plan as each large dam is a potential source of floods in the downstream area when not operated or maintained prudently. https://sandrp.in/2024/08/12/drp-nb-120824-chalakudy-community-demand-prudent-dam-management-plan/  (12 Aug. 2024)

Mass petition seeks integrated reservoir plan A mass petition by those fearing the probability of very large floods in Chalakudy river basin in the coming days have sought urgent intervention by Kerala chief justice, state chief secretary, and CWC. The petition, comprising people’s representatives and organizations, stated that reservoirs upstream of Peringalkuthu were nearly full. They sought immediate measures to prevent or moderate the floods. With five of the six dams, including four owned by Tamil Nadu govt, being part of the interstate, multi-basin Parambikulam-Aliyar Project (PAP) and bound by the PAP agreement, the petitioners, said it is a complex issue that needs strong action from the authorities. https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/kochi/mass-petition-seeks-integrated-reservoir-plan/articleshow/112660707.cms  (20 Aug. 2024)

Community-oriented flood forecast system launched A unique decentralised, community-oriented, and impact-based flood forecast, and early warning system has been developed for the Periyar and Chalakudy river basins of Kerala, pioneering a new approach to disaster management in the country. This innovative system, launched on September 28, 2024, at Ernakulam District Collectorate, aims to help administrators understand increasingly severe annual weather events, particularly floods, caused by climate change and exacerbated by numerous anthropogenic factors. This collective initiative significantly enhances flood disaster preparedness, mitigation, rescue, and rehabilitation in the two crucial river basins, prompting other vulnerable areas in the country to replicate the model. https://www.downtoearth.org.in/natural-disasters/kerala-community-oriented-flood-forecast-system-launched-in-disaster-prone-periyar-chalakudi-river-basins  (30 Sept. 2024) Both the Community Resource Centre (CRC) and Meenachil River Protection Council (MRPC) are community-driven flood monitoring systems, and both, and many others like them, are a response to the 2018 deluge the state witnessed, one that is called the great flood in Malayalam (mahapralayam), and one that resulted in the death of 483 people and damage estimated at ₹40,000 crore.

All are powered by daily measurements of ground- and river water levels, and rainfall, meticulously recorded by volunteers and compiled by activists and scientists at the community level in different regions of Kerala. These community initiatives are fast becoming crucial cogs in the creation of EWS for floods in a state where climate change continues to pose significant challenges. Completely operated by people, such systems are proving to be the difference when the response of government machinery during emergencies has been found wanting in the state. https://www.hindustantimes.com/india-news/in-flood-prone-kerala-community-led-forecasting-gathers-steam-101728844175726.html  (14 Oct. 2024)

Sardar Sarovar Project ‘Victims of PM’s birthday celebrations’ struggle to regain footing Eight months ago, on September 17, 2023, as celebrations of the birthday of PM Narendra Modi took place, Prabhu Ahir saw waves of water reducing his home to debris in Borbhatha, a remote village in southern Gujarat’s Bharuch district. “We didn’t even get time to pack up and move to a safer place, we were sitting on the floor and our plates started floating away because of the water,” Ahir said. Thousands of people in various districts of Gujarat were flooded by water which flowed in from the Sardar Sarovar dam. Locals and opposition leaders alleged that the Gujarat government had opened the floodgates of the dam in a delayed manner, despite rain. https://thewire.in/rights/gujarat-floods-modi-birthday-victims-struggle-life-back-on-track (22 Apr 2024)

Maharashtra Forgotten victims of 2019 floods Talking about the cause of the flood, her husband Gunda says that humans are equally to be blamed for the situation, as much as natural causes. “Yes, the floods were indeed due to the so-called ‘cloud burst’ or excessive rains, but more so due to the unchecked construction in the riverbed as well as within the flood line.

The natural geology of any region affects the flow, as well as drainage of water,” Gunda says. “It was affected due to major sand mining in riverbeds, cutting down of trees, industrial waste flowing into rivers, and an impossible amount of plastic and trash being thrown into the river. This change in flow of water and drainage has ultimately caused the villagers to suffer.” https://india.mongabay.com/2024/06/the-forgotten-victims-of-maharashtras-2019-floods/  (06 June 2024)

Compiled by Bhim Singh Rawat (bhim.sandrp@gmail.com)