World Bank approves dam safety project in India 

The World Bank has approved a $250 million project designed to improve the safety and performance of existing dams across various states of India - described as the world's largest dam management program.

The Second Dam Rehabilitation and Improvement Project (DRIP-2) will strengthen dam safety by building dam safety guidelines; bring in global experience; and introduce newer technologies. A major innovation envisaged under the project, that is likely to transform dam safety management in the country, is the introduction of a risk-based approach to dam asset management that will help to effectively allocate financial resources towards dam safety needs. 

The project will be implemented in approximately 120 dams across the states of Chhattisgarh, Gujarat, Kerala, Madhya Pradesh, Maharashtra, Manipur, Meghalaya, Odisha, Rajasthan, and Tamil Nadu, and at the national level through the Central Water Commission (CWC). Other states or agencies may also be added to the project during project implementation.

“This is the world’s largest dam management program. Its objective is to break the costly cycle of ‘build-neglect-rebuild’ which characterizes the operations and maintenance of infrastructure across sectors,” said Junaid Ahmad, World Bank Country Director in India. “The expected outcomes will be game-changing: sustaining the livelihoods and food security of millions of Indians who depend on irrigated agriculture and enabling farmers to shift out of pumping groundwater, thereby, reducing energy consumption and greenhouse gas emissions. This program can act as a lighthouse for other countries tackling the challenge of managing hydraulic infrastructure.”

Since project effectiveness in 2012, Government of India has been implementing the World Bank-supported DRIP-1 (US$279 million) and Additional Financing (US$62 million). This project has improved the safety and sustainable performance of 223 dams in six states of India and one central agency.[Read More]

70 लाख में गोविंद वल्लभ पंत सागर की जाचेंगे प्रदूषण का स्तर, सीडब्ल्यूपीआरएस को मिला अध्ययन का जिम्मा

सोनभद्र, जेएनएन। देश के प्रमुख बांधों में शामिल गोङ्क्षवद वल्लभ पंत सागर यानी रिहंद डैम में आस-पास की कंपनियों ने कितना प्रदूषण डाला, कितना सिल्ट जमा है जिस वजह से उसके जलधारण क्षमता में कमी आई है। इसकी जांच के लिए पुणे की संस्था सीडब्ल्यूपीआरएस (सेंट्रल वाटर एंड पावर रिसर्च स्टेशन) को जिम्मेदारी दी गई है। सिंचाई विभाग की निगरानी में होने वाली इस जांच में 70 लाख रुपये खर्च होंगे जो संस्था को मिल गया है। कुछ औपचारिकताओं को पूरी कर जांच शुरू की जाएगी। इसकी रिपोर्ट एनजीटी (राष्ट्रीय हरित अधिकरण) को भेजी जाएगी और तलहटी की सफाई भी होगी।[Read more]

MCZMA asks BMC to set up environment cell for coastal road

The directive is part of the 16 conditions that MCZMA has asked the BMC to fulfil while forwarding its application of amendment in coastal zone regulation (CRZ) clearance to Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change (MoEFCC) for final approval.

According to the MCZMA conditions, the BMC shall set up a full-fledged environment management cell for tracking effective implementation and monitoring of environment management, marine biodiversity conservation plans, recommendation of socio-economic study and disaster management plan prepared for the coastal road project.

The environment cell should monitor real-time change in shoreline, erosion/accretion of coastline by engaging competent agencies like National Institute of Oceanography, IIT-Bombay, CWPRS, stated the MCZMA. The authority has also said real-time data should be collected for 15 years down the line and specific budget allocation made for setting up the cell.[Readmore]

JNPT clears the air on green concerns surrounding Vadhavan port as resistance grows

Centre-owned Jawaharlal Nehru Port Trust (JNPT) said it is “committed to preserving, protecting and promoting the environment” in and around Vadhavan port while implementing as well as operating the mega project it is helming near Dahanu in Maharashtra’s Palghar district, in the wake of growing protests from locals.

“All environment laws, rules and regulations will be fully complied with and JNPT will take all precautionary and mitigative measures for environmentally sustainable port development and port services which are in the larger interest of the nation and in particular to Maharashtra,” a spokesperson for JNPT said on Saturday.[Readmore]

Securing India's dams

DRIP will ensure a critical aspect of national security and sovereignty - the safety of dams and protection of water sources.

Dams have been at the centre of Indian life for serveral decades and a part of the faith since eons. when the celestial Ganga came crashing onto earth, its ferocity would have broken the planet into smithereens had it not been Lord Shiva who dammed its flow in his locks and saved the planet. [Readmore]

Safeguarding our dams and waters: DRIP a critical aspect of national resilience and sovereignty

When the Three Gorges Dam over the river Yangtze became functional, it slowed the earth’s rotation by 0.06 microseconds. It is this power of dams that both impresses and intimidates us.

With emphasis on weekend tourism, water sports, fisheries, solar power and other allied activities, a perfect balance between structural resilience and economic resilience of dams has been envisioned through the project.

By Gajendra Singh Shekhawat

Dams have been at the centre of Indian life for several decades, and have been a part of the faith for eons. When the celestial river Ganga came crashing onto the earth, its ferocity would have broken the planet into smithereens, had it not been Lord Shiva who dammed its flow in his locks and saved the planet. [Readmore]

Centre, states must seize opportunity to come together for water governance

The Centre can work with the states in building a credible institutional architecture for gathering data and producing knowledge about water resources — a foundational necessity to address most federal water governance challenges.

A slew of bills on water awaits Parliament’s approval. Two of them, passed by the Lok Sabha, were listed for clearing by Rajya Sabha in the monsoon session — The Interstate River Water Disputes Amendment Bill 2019 and the Dam Safety Bill 2019. The truncated session could not get to discuss the bills, though. A common issue that the bills confront is with respect to the ways in which the Centre can work with the states to deal with the emerging challenges of inter-state water governance. The latest centrally sponsored scheme (CSS), Jal Jeevan Mission (JJM), too is pumping massive finances into achieving universal access to safe and secure drinking water in rural areas — otherwise a domain of the states. JJM presents an opportunity to get states on board for a dialogue towards stronger Centre-states coordination and federal water governance ecosystem.[Readmore]

Polavaram meet: AP seeks nod for cost estimates at 2017-18 price level

PPA responded positively to State’s demand to convince Ministry of Jal Shakti: Chief Engineer

VIJAYAWADA: Standing its grounds, the State government has sought confirmation of the revised cost estimates (RCE) at 2017-18 price level for the Polavaram Irrigation Project (PIP) in a meeting held with the Polavaram Project Authority (PPA) in Hyderabad on Monday.Engineer-in-Chief C Narayana Reddy, after the meeting, said the PPA has responded positively to AP demand for PPA intervention to convince the Ministry of Jal Shakti for the same. “We have clearly explained the State government’s stand on the issue to the PPA. We insisted on the second revised cost estimate at 2017-18 price level,” Narayana Reddy explained.[Readmore]

Govt eyes setting up 14 more water aerodromes for seaplane services

The government is looking to set up 14 more water aerodromes across the country after the successful launch of maiden seaplane service by Prime Minister Narendra Modi between the Statue of Unity near Kevadiya in Gujarat's Narmada district and Sabarmati Riverfront in Ahmedabad. 

he government is looking to set up 14 more water aerodromes across the country after the successful launch of maiden seaplane service by Prime Minister Narendra Modi between the Statue of Unity near Kevadiya in Gujarat's Narmada district and Sabarmati Riverfront in Ahmedabad.

These will facilitate seaplane services on various routes including Lakshadweep, Andaman & Nicobar, Assam, Maharashtra and Uttarakhand.

"Development of 14 more water aerodromes is being planned pan India under RCS UDAN scheme.

Airports Authority of India (AAI) and Ministry of Civil Aviation (MoCA) had requested Inland Waterways Authority of India (IWAI) to conduct a hydrographic survey and later on requested assistance in setting up jetties for facilitating the passenger movement," a Shipping Ministry official told PTI.[Readmore]

Technical studies on Polavaram to be expedited

The panel has also discussed the pending designs and decided to take steps to speed up the process of their finalisation.

VIJAYAWADA: The Dam Design and Review Panel (DDRP) under the Central Water Commission (CWC) has asked the Central Water and Power Research Station (CWPRS) to expedite the studies related to upstream protection bund of Polavaram project to finalise the related designs. 

The panel has also discussed the pending designs and decided to take steps to speed up the process of their finalisation.

Officials of the DDRP and Polavaram Irrigation project, CWC and others held a virtual meeting on Tuesday.[Readmore]

Battered in monsoon last year, Velsao bandstand yet to be restored

COLVA: Last monsoon, stormy weather and choppy sea had battered the velsao shore and damaged the tiled bandstand structure when the floor collapsed.

A year later vegetation has taken over the collapsed portion, which is lying neglected as no repairs have been done. a part of the walls damaged by tidal waves last year, and stones and concrete material has been pushed back under the structure.[Readmore]

MMC calls for security at Girna dam

Nashik: The Malegaon Municipal Corporation (MMC) has sought security at the Girna dam where dead fish and lobsters were found floating at the spot from where water is lifted for supplying to the city.

The sources from MMC said the corporation drew raw water from the premises of Water Resources Department (WRD) and the same was treated and provided to the residents across the city.

“Since the dam is not our property, we cannot put up security in the region. Hence we will ask the WRD to step up vigil in order to prevent any such incident in the future,” sources from MMC said. [Readmore]

Chhattisgarh to revive depleting groundwater in forests, build 1089 drains

The Narva Development Plan lays emphasis on the conservation and promotion of groundwater in the forest areas, the revival of water resources, river drains and renovation of ponds.

To help conserve depleting groundwater resources within hectares of forested areas, the Chattisgarh government has identified 1089 drains for treatment and revival in the forest areas. The programme will be implemented under the Narva Development Scheme -- the Narva Garuva Ghurwa Baari Vikas Yojana.

The initiative is aimed at the revival of 4,28,827 hectares of groundwater reservoirs within the forest-covered land. [Readmore]

Jal Shakti ministry’s groundwater guideline shuns opportunity to address overall crisis

Complex groundwater systems cannot be controlled or predicted, but need to be better managed and made more efficient 

The Central Ground Water Authority’s (GGWA) latest guideline — banning the grant of no-objection certificates (NoC) for extracting groundwater to all new industries coming up in ‘over-exploited’ areas — is yet another duplication of previous failed policy regulations.

By implication, the new regulatory policy is not pretentious about looking at the problem in totality while targeting a small, insignificant section of the overall groundwater users (existing industries, proposed industries, urban housing societies and mining projects).

According to the guideline, dated September 24, 2020, NoCs in ‘over-exploited’ areas will only be granted to micro, small and medium enterprises (MSME).[Readmore]

Salma Dam resumes operations as reservoir fills up

KABUL: Salma hydroelectric dam in Herat became fully operational on Sunday after the reservoir behind it filled with water.

With water levels rising in the reservoir, two dormant turbines resumed power generation operations on Sunday, adding 25 megawatts to the grid, said Da Afghan Breshna Sherkat spokesman Wahidullah Tawhidi.

Salma Dam which was built by India in 2016 is one of the biggest mega projects of the past two decades. It has three turbines, each producing 12.5 megawatt-hours of electricity which can provide power for 35,000 households, said Tawhidi.[Readmore]

An engineering marvel, Mullaperiyar dam turns 125 on Saturday

Opened in 1895, dam was caught in interstate dispute between TN, Kerala over its strength 

KOCHI: Mullaperiyar dam, an engineering marvel and a lifeline for five arid districts of Tamil Nadu, will complete 125 years of existence on Saturday. More than 3,000 workers had toiled for eight years, braving cold weather, incessant rain, wild animals and deadly diseases like cholera and malaria to build the 175-ft-high dam. It was the great Madras famine of 1876-78 that prompted the then British regime to construct a dam across Periyar so that the water could be diverted to the Vaigai river for irrigating the farm lands of Madurai, Theni, Dindigul, Sivaganga and Ramanathapuram districts in Tamil Nadu.

An agreement was signed in October 1886 between the Maharaja of Travancore and then Madras Presidency, by which 8,100 acres of land were leased out for constructing the dam. The works began under the leadership of Scottish Major John Pennycuick in September 1887. The dam changed the lives of the residents of Theni who started worshipping Pennycuick as a demigod. However, as years passed, the dam was caught in an interstate dispute with Kerala raising concerns about its strength and demanding the construction of a new dam. Tamil Nadu opposed, paving the way for a prolonged legal battle and animosity between the two states.[Readmore]

Min inspects check dam work across Vaigai

Madurai: The check dam being constructed across the Vaigai river at Kodimangalam will benefit 3,360 acres of cultivable land apart from augmenting ground water level in the south of Madurai, said minister for cooperation Sellur K Raju on Monday.

The minister inspected the construction work along with the district collector T G Vinay and corporation commissioner S Visakan. The ground-breaking ceremony for the project was held on September 19. The check dam will be 210m in length and 2.1m in breadth.[Readmore]

Work on restoration of Veedur dam begins

Once the work is completed, the reservoir would have 105 mcft of additional capacity, officials said

Preliminary work for the restoration of Veedur dam near Vikravandi in Villupuram district has begun, with the Water Resources Organisation of the Public Works Department (PWD) carrying out aerial survey with the help of drones to map the dam’s profile and its water capacity.

“The previous survey conducted by the Institute of Hydraulics and Hydrology, Poondi in September had identified silt accumulation up to 105 million cubic feet (mcft),” a senior PWD official said. The second survey with drones would map the gradient, dam profile, contour level, accumulation of silt and the storage capacity of the dam.[Readmore]

Afghanistan signs $160 million renewable energy deal with US, Turkey and India

Solar and wind power projects will be developed in Kabul, Balkh and Herat provinces

Afghanistan imports 1,200 megawatts of energy from Iran, Tajikistan, Uzbekistan and Turkmenistan

KABUL: Solar photovoltaic and wind power projects signed by Afghanistan under a $160 million international deal on Wednesday evening will add 110 megawatts to the country’s grid in the next 16 months, officials said.

The projects will be developed in Kabul, Balkh and Herat by a local company with partners from Turkey, India and the US Agency for International Development (USAID).[Readmore]

Sixty Years of the Indus Waters Treaty and How It Survived Many a Fraught Moment

A little over 60 years ago, on September 19, 1960, the Indus Waters Treaty (IWT) was signed between India and Pakistan to share waters from the Indus rivers system (IRS).

After years of negotiations between representatives from India and Pakistan, which were mediated by the World Bank, Prime Minister Jawaharlal Nehru went to Karachi, the then capital of Pakistan to sign the Indus Waters Treaty along with the Pakistani head of state, General Ayub Khan. The vice president of the World Bank, W.A.B. Iliff also signed the document.[Readmore]

World Rivers Day: Some Amazing Facts on the Mighty Streams Flowing Across India

Every year, September 27 is marked as the World Rivers Day in order to raise awareness and promote conservation of the rivers around the world. The day also emphasises the need to focus on the health of the rivers, as they are the greatest sources of freshwater on the planet.

India is a land of nine great rivers, which serve as lifelines for billions of people. Among all, the Ganga is one of the largest flowing rivers in the country, while the other mighty rivers include the Godavari, Krishna, Brahmaputra, and Indus.[Readmore]

Jaipur’s Ramgarh Dam issue raised in the Parliament

New Delhi, Sep 24 (IANS) Expressing her concern over the plight of Ramgarh Dam during Zero Hour in the Parliament, MP Diya Kumari said that the Ramgarh Dam which was recognised as the only source of drinking water in Jaipur and the surrounding area has dried up.

There was a time when the dam had 64-feet of water and in 1982, the rowing events of the Asian Games also happened here. But after this, due to the negligence of the administration, the number of encroachments started to increase in the catchment area of the dam and the water stopped coming in. Today the situation is such, that there is not even a single drop of water here, she said on Wednesday.[Readmore]

C''garh dam breach destroys crops on 50 hectares, 2 suspended

Korba, Sep 25 (PTI) Crops on 50 hectares of land were destroyed in Chhattisgarh''s Koriya district after a dam breach flooded the area, prompting the state government to suspend two water resources department personnel, officials said on Friday.

There were no reports of loss of life in the damage caused to a portion of Khada Reservoir, built in Baikunthpur, in 1978, an official said..

"The incident happened on Wednesday morning. Crops on 50 hectares in three villages were destroyed after a flood- like situation was created," an official said.

Koriya Collector SN Rathore said the incident was a result of negligence on the part of the water resources department and a three member probe committee had been set up. [Readmore]

Water-flow in Stanley Reservoir of Coimbatore reaches 100 feet

With the onset of rains, dams are getting filled up in southern India. “The water level has reached 100 feet as against its full reservoir capacity of 120 feet exactly at 12 noon,” said PWD officials. The inflow of water was at 35,000 cusecs and the discharge was affirmed at 20,000 cusecs for delta irrigation, while the discharge through canals was 850 cusecs on Friday morning. The dam’s water level, which reached at 89.77 feet on September 21, rose up to reach 100 feet within the last four days following heavy discharge from Karnataka.[Readmore]

CWC revises rule curve of hydel damsIDUKKI: 

The central water commission has revised the rule curve of hydel dams in the state. The shutter gates of the Idukki reservoir will be opened when the water level reaches 2,373ft on June 10. It was 2,339.7ft on Friday. According to a KSEB official, the CWC decreased the rule curve while considering the chances of flood. A blue alert will be issued four feet below the rule level(2,369ft) and an orange alert will be issued 2ft below the rule level (2,371ft) and the red alert will be issued 1ft below the rule level, the official said KSEB will also conduct a trial run of the sirens at the Cheruthoni dam on June 2 and 3 . [Readmore]

Yediyurappa offers bagina to Cauvery, Kapila rivers

Mysuru / Mandya: Days after the major dams in the Cauvery basin reached their maximum capacity, chief minister B S Yediyurappa on Friday offered puja and bagina to Cauveryand Kapila rivers at KRS and Kabini dams respectively.

The CM thanked gods for the bounty, which he said will help the farming community. This is the fifth time Yediyurappa has offered bagina to the rivers.

He said the government is committed to implement the Mekedatu dam project while he announced Rs 8.48 crore funds to replace the16 crest gates of KRS dam. “Our government is focusing on irrigation projects across the state and have spent Rs 74,000 crore on 28 irrigation projects,” he said. [Read more]

Rajasthan CM bats for drip irrigation system

Jaipur, Sep 17 (PTI) Rajasthan Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot on Thursday asked the water resources department to implement new irrigation projects in the state by using drip irrigation system. 

In a statement, he said every drop of water should be saved due to its limited availability for irrigation and drinking.

He was addressing a review meeting of the water resources department at his residence. 

"The Agriculture Department, Horticulture Department and Water Resources Department should coordinate meetings to ensure the benefit of drip irrigation and sprinkler methods in the ongoing projects in the department. The projects should be completed in a time bound manner," Gehlot said.

It was told in the meeting that compared to previous years, Rajasthan received 24 per cent more water from Ravi-Beas rivers and 9 per cent more water from Sutlej and double from Yamuna this year.

The CM also directed the water resources department to coordinate with the Punjab government and take action to obtain water as per the inter-state agreement.

"With the re-lining of works, the Indira Gandhi canal system will get water in the prescribed capacity and the common people of 10 districts of western Rajasthan will benefit," the statement said. [Readmore]

Work on dam likely to be completed in 2 years: Minister

GAYA: The proposed rubber dam on the Falgu near Vishnupad Temple in Gaya, for which the state cabinet approved Rs 226 crore on Tuesday, will be the first of its kind anywhere in north India.

The country’s first rubber dam was constructed on river Jhanjhavathi in Andhra Pradesh in 2006.

According to Gaya Town MLA and agriculture minister, Prem Kumar, the new dam, work on which is likely to be completed in two years, will help the pilgrims perform salvation-related rituals and get fresh water for ‘tarpan’ (water obeisance) easily. [Readmore]

At least 24 out of India’s 123 reservoirs are full: Central Water Commission

Situation precarious for Karnataka and Maharashtra, where ‘heavy’ to ‘very heavy’ rainfall is predicted in some parts; five dams in both states are full

    At least 24 reservoirs out of the 123 monitored by the Central Water Commission (CWC) were 100 percent full. Eight of the reservoirs were located in Maharashtra, five in Karnataka, two each in Jharkhand, Gujarat, Madhya Pradesh, and Telangana, with one each in Odisha and Rajasthan, according to a bulletin released by CWC September 10, 2020.

The situation was precarious for Karnataka and Maharashtra, where the India Meteorological Department predicted ‘heavy’ to ‘very heavy’ rainfall in some parts. At least five dams in both states were 100 per cent full, with the CWC advising a close watch. Dam authorities must be careful in releasing this water and not wait till the last moment, the CWC advised. [Readmore]

Fund shortage: Gosikhurd dam delayed further, revised deadline 2024

The irrigation department’s request for higher allocation of funds for the project has not been accepted. In the two-day monsoon session, supplementary demands failed to accommodate the financial demand for the project.

    The Gosikhurd National Irrigation Project in the Vidarbha region of Maharashtra will be delayed by four years due to financial constraints. The annual allocation for the project for 2020-21 made by the state government is just Rs 500 crore against a requirement of Rs 1,500 crore. Another hurdle in the way is the 50 percent shortage of employees deployed for project work. As a result, the deadline for the completion of the project has been revised from 2021 to 2024. [Readmore]

Sardar Sarovar dam water submerges Narmada valley

BHOPAL: Following heavy rains in the Narmada catchment area and the opening of sluice gates of the big dams on the river, the valley is again facing large-scale submergence, affecting thousands of villagers, who are awaiting compensation.

A large number of people still live in the villages across the Narmada valley where water is dangerously rising. Though Sardar Sarovar project dam gates were opened, the amount of water reaching the dam is more than the water being released from the mighty reservoir. Villagers said that on August 31, the height of the water stood at 134.56 metres and submerged thousands of acres of land. Last year, Gujarat had filled the dam to a height of 138.68 metres and a large number of villagers were shifted to tin sheds. [Readmore]

Mild intensity earthquake in Maharashtra's Satara

An earthquake measuring 2.6 on the Richter Scale hit the Koyna region in Satara district of Maharashtra on Tuesday morning.

An earthquake of 2.6 magnitude hit the Koyna dam region in Maharashtra's Satara district on Tuesday morning, an official said.

There was no report of any casualty or damage to property, the official from the district administration said.

"The 2.6 magnitude quake occurred at 7.16 am and its epicentre was eight km from the Koyna dam," he said. [Readmore]

India’s tallest dam ft. Hyundai Venue – Pride of India

For the third instalment of the Pride of India series, we headed towards the mountains of Uttarakhand with the Hyundai Venue to experience the enormity of India’s tallest dam.

HIGHLIGHTS

The third part of the Pride of India series takes us in the Hyundai Venue to Tehri Dam, a modern engineering marvel and the tallest dam in India.

Tehri Dam boasts a power generation capacity of 1000MW feeding power grids in Delhi, Uttarakhand, UP, Punjab, Himachal Pradesh, J&K and more areas. The dam also aids irrigation, supply of drinking water as well as helps in flood control.

The Venue we had for company was the 1.0 Turbo petrol with 7-speed DCT variant. [Readmore]

Award for Jharkhand check-dam

The water harvesting structure has become a game-changer among small and marginal farmers who earlier had to depend on only rainfall for kharif crops.

A low-cost check dam model to retain water for irrigation in Jharkhand’s rebel-hit Khunti district has fetched an award of excellence from the Union Jal Shakti ministry.

The award for the bori bandh project through community participation in the participatory water management category was presented to Khunti deputy commissioner Shashi Ranjan at the National Water Innovation Summit 2020 held on a virtual platform in Delhi on Friday.

The award was given by Jal Shakti ministry secretary U.P. Singh. [Readmore]

Daily Court Digest: Major environment orders (September 26, 2019)

Down To Earth brings you the top environmental cases heard in the Supreme Court, the high courts and the National Green Tribunal

CWPRS to submit report on flood in Ghaggar basin

The Supreme Court (SC) on September 23, 2019 directed Haryana and Punjab to provide information required by the Central Water and Power Research Station (CWPRS), Pune that would help in expediting the enquiry pertaining to the mitigation of the flood problem in the Ghaggar basin.

The inquiry was supposed to be completed and subsequent report filed by the first week of July 2019.

The apex court directed that the investigation should be completed by December 31, 2019, so that a report could be submitted immediately thereafter.

Fish drying pollutes Madh Island

An application alleging use of foreshore land for drying fish in Erangal village of Madh Island, Mumbai came up before the National Green Tribunal (NGT).[Readmore]

GRMB seeks DPRs from AP, Telangana by June 10

Hyderabad: The chairman of Godavari River Management Board (GRMB) J Chandrashekhar Iyer on Friday directed both Telangana and Andhra Pradesh to submit Detailed Project Reports (DPR) of all the projects they have taken up on River Godavari by June 10. The Board sought the reports of nine projects taken up by Telangana including enhancement of Kaleshwaram Lift Irrigation Scheme (KLIS) as alleged by the AP government.

The Board also wanted the sibling States to submit agenda points for the forthcoming Apex Council meeting to be chaired by Jal Shakthi Minister Gajendra Singh Shekhawat in which the Chief Ministers of the two States will also participate. [Readmore]

₹176-crore plan on the anvil to check coastal erosion

Research station in Pune offers geo solution to problem

The Central Water and Power Research Station (CWPRS), Pune, has offered a geo solution of raising a six-meter seawall along the five km of Uppada coast.

The Department of Transport, Roads and Buildings has submitted ₹176-crore proposal to the State government to build a seawall with a five-layer geo material for the protection of the Uppada coast from erosion.

A plan has been chalked out to prevent the coastal erosion, after the 1,463-meter length of geo-tube installed in 2010 was completely broken due to tidal waves and erosion during the two cyclones - Vardah (2016) and Fani (2019).

P. D. Vijaya Kumar, Superintendent Engineer, Department of Transport, Roads and Buildings (DTRB-East Godavari district), told The Hindu that the CWPRS experts have recommended use of the geo equipment that costs ₹176 crore to build a wall along the coastline at Uppada to prevent soil erosion. In early June, the proposal was submitted to the State government.[Readmore]

Maharashtra: Earthquake of 3.1 magnitude recorded near Koyna dam

An earthquake of 3.1 magnitude with epicentre near Koyna dam in Maharashtra's Satara district was recorded on Saturday morning, officials said. 

An earthquake of 3.1 magnitude with epicentre near Koyna dam in Maharashtra's Satara district was recorded on Saturday morning, officials said. No loss of life or property was reported, they said.

The earthquake was recorded at 10.22 am. Its epicentre was 13.60 kms from the Koyna dam, officials of Satara district administration said. [Readmore]

India’s reservoirs now have 155% more water than last yr

Live storage in 123 reservoirs is at 66.372 billion cubic metres (BCM) or 39 per cent of total live storage capacity

Storage in several of the country’s reservoirs has steadily increased. There is 155 per cent more water than in 2019 and 119 per cent more than average storage in the dams in the past 10 years, as rains continue to lashparts of the country.

Data from the Central Water Commission (CWC) July 23, 2020 — which monitored from 123 reservoirs — said live storage available in the reservoirs was at 66.372 billion cubic metres (BCM) or 39 per cent of total live storage capacity.

This increased from 32 per cent recorded on July 2, 34 per cent recorded on July 9 and 36 per cent recorded on July 16. Live storage in reservoirs was 42.826 BCM in the corresponding period last year.

Of the 123 reservoirs, 92 reported more than 80 per cent normal storage. [Readmore]

Nod for ₹240-crore works for improvement of dams

Works to be carried out on 16 dams, barrages and regulators under DRIP phase-II

The State government has given in-principle approval for carrying out works to the tune of ₹240 crore in Phase II of the Dam Rehabilitation and Improvement Project (DRIP) on dams under the Irrigation Department.

The WB-aided project is aimed at enhancing the safety and operational performance of selected dams. Last year, the department had listed 16 dams, barrages and regulators managed by it for DRIP Phase II.

According to a proposal submitted by the department, ₹181 crore will be spent on rehabilitation and management planning for dams and associated appurtenances. A sum of ₹42 crore will cover institutional strengthening activities. A sum of ₹2 crore will cover project management activities.

DRIP II will cover 14 dams on which work had been started under the ongoing DRIP Phase I, besides the Pothundi and Maniyar dams.[Readmore]

Pakistan: China-backed hydropower projects irk locals, environmentalists

The public's growing dissatisfaction has triggered mass protests and destruction of public property time and again. Still, the problem is expected to worsen in the coming years as the mismatch between energy supply and demand in the country is projected to widen.

Prime Minister Imran Khan last week vowed to build the “biggest dam in Pakistan’s history” after he inaugurated the construction of the Diamer-Bhasha Dam in the Gilgit-Baltistan region. He said the project will benefit the people living in the area. “The decision to build this dam was taken 50 years ago. There can be no better site for constructing a dam; it is a natural dam,” the premier said. [Readmore]

Breach in Amreli’s Triveni Dam

Rajkot: Influx of water in Surajvadi River due to constant rain in the region caused a five feet breach in the Triveni Dam near Badhada in Amreli district on Saturday afternoon.

According to the Amreli district administration officials, the dam provides water to 10 villages including Bhadada, Navu Bhadada, Shantinagar, Jabal and Abrahampara. “Due to the breach in the dam, Surajvadi River is flowing from bank to bank,” said Jabal village sarpanch Bhupendra Khuman.[Readmore]

Indus dam project has Chinese footprint

The Diamer-Bhasha dam project is in Gilgit-Baltistan, which is ethnically closer to Kargil district of Ladakh. Its political context is constricting as China and Pakistan are connected through the Karakoram highway that traverses through the region. Its control lies with the federal government.

Pakistan has decided to go ahead with the 450 MW Diamer-Bhasha dam in the Gilgit-Baltistan area on the Indus river. Diamer-Bhasha dam is being jointly constructed by a Chinese state-run firm and a commercial entity of Pakistan’s military. A slew of infrastructural projects being pursued by China and Pakistan in the region, including the dam, are taking place in the context of reinforcement of the federal government’s impulse to continue the old structures of control and micro-management.[Readmore]

Protest against check dam at Thengaipattinam fishing harbour

Fishermen across the State have planned a black flag agitation on Friday demanding removal of a check dam in the Thengaipattinam fishing harbour in Kanniyakumari district.

They said that the dam being constructed to prevent salt water intrusion had led to sand accretion at the mouth, which resulted in deaths of several fishermen. “In the past few weeks alone two men died in separate incidents. From the time construction began in 2019, several deaths have happened. It is being constructed without the permission of the fishers. If the work is continued, the harbour would be destroyed. We don’t have enough space to anchor 700 mechanised boats and 4,000 traditional craft. They are not taking up work for our development,” said A. Sesadimai, president, Thoothur Deep Sea Boats Association. [Readmore]

Brahmaputra dams: A China-India political quagmire

The Brahmaputra River runs from its origin in western Tibet through India before flowing into the sea in Bangladesh. Photo: Pfly / WikiCommons

Both the 12th and 13th Five-Year Plans adopted by the Chinese State Council have called for large-scale expansion of hydropower projects in the southwest, including all three provinces of Tibet. The Yarlung Tsangpo (Brahmaputra River) is one of the main international rivers identified for hydropower expansion in Tibet. [Readmore]

Bhakra dam’s water levels brought down by 41 ft to prevent floods this year

Sources in the BBMB said water was released continuously downstream in summer months, irrespective of whether there was a demand for irrigation on several days, to create the space so as to prevent flooding during monsoons in Punjab.

O PREVENT a repeat of last year’s floods, the Bhakra Beas Management Board (BBMB) has created sufficient cushioning in the Bhakra dam by bringing its level down by 41 ft, ahead of monsoon season. However, the Punjab government’s much-needed project to canalise its rivers, which is aimed at preventing floods, is yet to see light of day.[Readmore]

Almatti dam: Devendra Fadnavis demands agreement with Karnataka

KOLHAPUR: The onset of monsoon has once again brought the issue of Karnataka-based Almatti damto the fore with former chief minister Devendra Fadnavisdemanding to have a permanent arrangement on the release of water.

In a letter to chief minister Uddhav Thackeray, Fadnavis has underlined the need for having some agreement with Karnataka on the release of water from Almatti dam. 

Fadnavis, in the letter, has said that water from several rivers and dams in western Maharashtra goes into Almatti dam. “Backwater of Almatti dam cause flood in Satara, Sangli and Kolhapur districts,” Fadnavis said, adding that increase in the discharge from Almatti dam was the only solution to the problem[Readmore]

Indian reservoirs brimming as monsoon advances

Storage levels in 123 reservoirs monitored by Central Water Commission was 194 % of the levels of corresponding period in 2019

Major reservoirs in India are already brimming and their storage level is much more than what it was this time in 2019, even as the southwest monsoon advances over India. 

The live storage available in 123 reservoirs monitored by Central Water Commission (CWC) was 194 per cent of the live storage of corresponding period of last year and 171 per cent of storage of average of the last 10 years.

Live storage available in these reservoirs now is 56.725 billion cubic metres (BCM), which is 33 per cent of total live storage capacity of these reservoirs, according to a weekly bulletin issued by CWC on June 25, 2020.

The live storage available in these reservoirs for the corresponding period in 2019 was 29.166 BCM and the average of last 10 years live storage was 33.207 BCM. [Readmore]

Himalayan Quake and a High-Risk Project

While many projects with huge environmental and social costs have been opposed, the TDP is different, for even government-nominated experts had wanted it scrapped

Leading seismologists seem to agree on the likelihood of a very high intensity Himalayan earthquake, whose effects may inflict huge damage on the hilly areas and the dense urban settlements of the north Indian plains, including Delhi and around. Considering the multiple recent tremors felt in the National Capital Region (NCR), there are growing concerns about the “chain impact” that a high-intensity Himalayan quake could have. That is, it could damage critical infrastructure and have a ripple effect on inhabitation near them. It is for these reasons that there is a need to reassess the risks from one of the most controversial projects in recent decades, the Tehri Dam Project (TDP). [Readmore]

Rubber Dam Market Key Trends, Manufacturers in Globe, Benefits, Opportunities to 2025

The Global Rubber Dam Market report by UpMarketResearch.com provides a detailed analysis of the area marketplace expanding; competitive landscape; global, regional, and country-level market size; impact market players; market growth analysis; market share; opportunities analysis; product launches; recent developments; sales analysis; segmentation growth; technological innovations; and value chain optimization. This is a latest report, covering the current COVID-19 impact on the market. The pandemic of Coronavirus (COVID-19) has affected every aspect of life globally. This has brought along several changes in market conditions. The rapidly changing market scenario and initial and future assessment of the impact is covered in the report.[Readmore]

India-Nepal friction casts shadow on proposed Pancheshwar multipurpose dam project

The project first conceived 24 years ago in 1996, had picked up pace in 2014 after the Narendra Modi-led NDA government came to power.

New Delhi: The friction in India-Nepal ties over the latter including three disputed areas in its new political map has cast a shadow on the future of the proposed Pancheshwar multipurpose dam project that the two countries are jointly planning to build on the border.

The Pancheshwar project will come up across the Mahakali river, where it forms an international boundary between the two countries. It straddles Uttarakhand in India and the Far Western Development Region of Nepal. According to India, the river draws its waters from the Mahakali river (known as Sarada in India), which originates at Kalapani, one of the disputed sites in Uttarakhand that Nepal has now claimed as its own. [Readmore]

Bhakra, Pong dams ready for increased inflow during monsoon

Sources in the Bhakra Beas Management Board (BBMB) said that the water level in Bhakra dam, as on Monday, was 1580.41 feet. This is 100 feet less than the total capacity of the dam, which stands at around 1680 feet.

Ahead of the monsoon season, the Bhakra and Pong dams have created sufficient cushion space to receive the increased inflow of water the coming weeks.

Sources in the Bhakra Beas Management Board (BBMB) said that the water level in Bhakra dam, as on Monday, was 1580.41 feet. This is 100 feet less than the total capacity of the dam, which stands at around 1680 feet. Officials say that with the present rate of inflow of water as well as outflow, there was no reason for any worries.[Readmore]

India-Bhutan ink hydropower pact

New Delhi: At a time when India has strained relations with both China and Nepal to the east, External Affairs Minister (EAM) S. Jaishankar assured Himalayan neighbour Bhutan that India is its “special and privileged partner” who stands together with Bhutan in dealing with the health and economic challenges posed by the Coronavirus pandemic.

The assurance was furnished at the signing of the Concession Agreement for the 600 MW Kholongchhu (Joint Venture) Hydroelectric Project between the Royal Government of Bhutan and Kholongchhu Hydro Energy Limited (KHEL) which itself is a joint venture of Druk Green Power Corporation (DGPC) of Bhutan and Satluj Jal Vidyut Nigam Limited (SJVNL) of India. This is the first joint venture Hydroelectric Project between India and Bhutan but New Delhi has been boosting Bhutanese capacity in hydropower generation through several projects [Readmore]

Egypt: Ethiopia rejecting ''fundamental issues'' on Nile dam

Cairo, Jun 14 (AP) Egypt and Sudan said talks over a controversial massive Nile dam would be resumed Monday, amid Egyptian accusations that Ethiopia has sought to scrap “all agreements and deals” they had previously reached, and that “many fundamental issues” remain rejected by Ethiopia, the third party to the talks.

The construction of the USD 4.6 billion Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam on the Blue Nile, which is over 70 per cent complete and promises to provide much-needed electricity to Ethiopia''s 100 million people, has been a contentious point among Ethiopia, Sudan and Egypt, the three main Nile Basin countries.

The three countries have been holding talks for years, without reaching a deal. Those talks came to an acrimonious halt in Feb. when Ethiopia rejected a U.S.-crafted deal and accused the Trump administration of siding with Egypt. [Readmore]

WRD to update wireless system across dams

Nashik: The Water Resources Department (WRD) has decided to update its wireless system across all the major and minor dams in the district to ensure a backup plan is ready in case of a failed communication.

Till very recently, the WRD had been communicating with its various offices across the district with the help of wireless sets until mobile phones came into the picture. Yet, the need for wireless communication is being felt and the WRD has, therefore, decided to reinstall and repair the wireless systems as an alternate channel of communication.[Readmore]

GRMB seeks DPRs from AP, Telangana by June 10

Hyderabad: The chairman of Godavari River Management Board (GRMB) J Chandrashekhar Iyer on Friday directed both Telangana and Andhra Pradesh to submit Detailed Project Reports (DPR) of all the projects they have taken up on River Godavari by June 10. The Board sought the reports of nine projects taken up by Telangana including enhancement of Kaleshwaram Lift Irrigation Scheme (KLIS) as alleged by the AP government.[Readmore]

IIT Madras helps Chilika Lake to triple Irrawaddy Dolphin population

Bhubaneswar/Chennai: Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Madras researchers undertook a major project at the famous Chilika Lake, the largest brackish water body of Asia and the first Ramsar site of India, to help in tripling the population of the Irrawaddy dolphins.

The scientific investigation was carried out by Prof. R. Sundaravadivelu, Department of Ocean Engineering, IIT Madras, Dr. L. K. Ghosh (Ex-Additional Director CWPRS POONA),Dr. P. Chandramohan (Indomer Coastal Hydraulics, Chennai) and Dr. Ajit Kumar Pattnaik (Ex-Chief Executive, Chilika Development Authority) to trace the root cause of degradation.[Readmore]

No takers in Maharashtra for dam reinforcement technology by Pune-based firm

A technology developed by a Pune firm for the reinforcement of dams that has been endorsed by the Central Water and Power Research Station (CWPRS) and utilised by seven states, besides Konkan Railway and the Jawaharlal Nehru Port Trust (JNPT), has been bypassed by the Maharashtra irrigation department.

While states like Karnataka, Kerala, Tamil Nadu, Odisha, Madhya Pradesh and Uttarakhand have used the ‘poly ironite ceramic cementitious (PICC) coating technology for the reinforcement of dams, specifically to prevent breaching, it has been bypassed by Maharashtra.[Readmore]

Pune CWPRS completes 100 years: Open house, water management programmes on June 14

The CWPRS, which caters to research and development needs for design of water resource structures will complete 100 years of its existence on June 14.

The Central Water and Power Research Station (CWPRS) is all set for a flood forecasting and integrated water resources management programme with a view to optimise the resources for a particular region or area. This programme is expected to reduce the reliance on crisis management as was done during the summer months for Latur, said director of CWPRS Dr MK Sinha on the sidelines of unveiling the centenary celebrations of the CWPRS, which will see an open house and several programmes on June 14. He said that the programme is part of the National Hydropower project, which is a Rs 3,679 crore outlay undertaken with 50 per cent funding from the World Bank.[Readmore]