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GOVERNMENT OF INDIA
MINISTRY OF JAL SHAKTI
DEPARTMENT OF WATER RESOURCES, RIVER DEVELOPMENT & GANGA REJUVENATION
RAJYA SABHA
UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 4072
ANSWERED ON 30.03.2026
LARGE DAMS EXCEEDING THEIR LIFESPAN
4072 Dr. ASHOK KUMAR MITTAL:
Will the Minister of Jal Shakti be pleased to state:
(a) the total number of large dams in the country that have exceeded their designed lifespan and pose a
severe structural threat;
(b) whether multiple State Governments have failed to establish functional State Dam Safety
Organizations as mandated by the Dam Safety Act;
(c) the details of recent dam failures or structural breaches reported and the consequent loss of life and
property;
(d) the reasons for the severe underutilization of funds allocated for the Dam Rehabilitation and
Improvement Project (DRIP); and
(e) the steps taken to legally prosecute authorities failing to conduct mandatory pre-monsoon safety
audits?
ANSWER
THE MINISTER OF STATE FOR JAL SHAKTI
(SHRI RAJ BHUSHAN CHOUDHARY)
(a) There is no prescribed lifespan of a dam in our country. A dam’s effective life extends as long as it
reliably performs its intended functions without compromising public safety. A dams’ age alone does
not determine its stability or risk of structural failure. These critical infrastructures can maintain a viable
operational lifespan when subjected to rigorous technical evaluations and proper upkeep. Accordingly,
dams that are old but well-maintained and rehabilitated as per safety protocols continue to function
safely, while any dam found to be under distress condition is addressed through the statutory framework
under the Dam Safety Act, 2021.
As per the National Register of Specified dams 2025, compiled by the National Dam Safety
Authority (NDSA), there are 6,545 completed and functional specified dams in the country.
As per the latest post monsoon inspections of 2025, three specified dams have been classified under
Category-I (i.e., deficiencies in dams which, if left unattended, may lead to failure), 243 specified dams
are in Category-II (i.e., major deficiencies in dams requiring prompt remedial measures). Rest of the
specified dams of the country are in Category-III.
1(b) In compliance with the provisions of the Act, all 31 dam-owning States and Union Territories have
constituted their respective State Committees on Dam Safety (SCDSs) and established the State Dam
Safety Organisations (SDSOs). These institutional mechanisms are operational, thereby ensuring
structured oversight, coordination, and implementation of dam safety measures at the State/UT level.
(c) A summary of dam incidents and failures reported after the enactment of the Dam Safety Act, 2021
highlighting their causes, and other details is given at Annexure.
(d) Significant progress has been achieved under the externally aided Dam Rehabilitation and
Improvement Project (DRIP-II) Scheme. The participating States and implementing agencies have
accelerated key interventions, including dam rehabilitation works, safety improvement works,
instrumentation, preparation of safety documentation, and capacity-building activities. Project execution
has gained momentum with improved coordination among stakeholders, timely mobilization of technical
resources and strengthened monitoring mechanisms.
However, the progress of works, and consequently fund utilization, at certain implementing
agencies has been relatively slow. This is primarily attributable to delays in submission of
comprehensive rehabilitation proposals and in converting approved proposals into awarded contracts.
Further constraints include limited working seasons for execution of dam rehabilitation works,
inadequate bidder participation in certain tenders, and the requirement for revisions in design and
drawings during execution, particularly in technically complex rehabilitation projects.
(e) As per the provisions of Section 31 of the Dam Safety Act, 2021, every owner of a specified dam
is statutorily mandated to carry out pre-monsoon and post-monsoon inspections each year for every dam
under their jurisdiction. Following the enactment of the Act, there has been a significant and measurable
enhancement in the frequency and coverage of dam inspection activities across the country. At present,
nearly all specified dams are being inspected biannually by the respective dam owners, and detailed
inspection reports are prepared and submitted to the concerned State Dam Safety Organisation (SDSO)
as well as the National Dam Safety Authority (NDSA).
Further, these inspection activities are being closely monitored by both the SDSO and NDSA to
ensure strict adherence to timelines and prescribed standards of reporting. The findings and
recommendations emerging from these inspection reports are being utilized by the States for
prioritization and implementation of requisite safety measures and remedial actions.
In instances where inspections have not been carried out, the SDSO and NDSA have issued
necessary directions to the concerned dam authorities to initiate immediate corrective action and ensure
compliance in a time-bound manner.
***
2ANNEXURE
ANNEXURE REFERRED TO IN REPLY TO PART (c) OF UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 4072 TO BE ANSWERED IN RAJYA SABHA ON
30.03.2026 REGARDING “LARGE DAMS EXCEEDING THEIR LIFESPAN”.
Max. Date of Category
Sl.N Name of Year of
State Height Failure/ Details of failure/ Incident (Incident
o Project Completion
(M) Incident / Failure)
1 Madhya Karam Dam 52 Under 11-08-2022 Slope failure and piping. On August 11, 2022 due to heavy rainfall in catchment area Incident
Pradesh Construction water has been impounded upto RL 296 m and piping was observed at RD 430 m.
2 Madhya Ardala Dam 2015 12-09-2022 leakage observed with rising water level Incident
Pradesh
3 Kerala Parambikulam 73.15 1967 22/09/2022 On 21.09.2022 at around 2:00 AM, Spillway Shutter No. 2 was suddenly damaged Incident
Dam and broke out, resulting in the release of approximately 20,000 cusecs of water from
the reservoir.
The failure appears to have occurred due to the breaking of the left-side chain link
arrangement that connected the shutter to the counterweight.
As a result, the counterweight became unbalanced, causing the chain to be pulled out
from the gear assembly.
This led to the downward movement of the counterweight.
4 Andhra Sree Pothuluri 50.5 2006 13/12/2022 The construction of the main dam was completed during 1999-2000 and first filling Incident
Pradesh Veera of the Dam was during 2005-06. Sweating and oozing was observed when the
Brahmendra reservoir was filled upto the level 210.30 m. In December-2022, when the water level
Swamy was +213.070 M and the corresponding Storage is 15.94 TMC, heavy seepage to the
Reservoir tune of 8 litres per second is observed in the reach from RD 1620 m to 1650 m. Sand
(SPVBR) and metal filters are laid in the oozing area for safe discharge of the seepage water.
5 Himachal Malana-II 53 2012 24/07/2023 Overtopped due to jammed radial gates from slush and boulders, causing scouring on Incident
Pradesh HEP the left bank.
6 Madhya PondiJaitgarh 12.15 2008 25/07/2023 Due to heavy rainfall between 23/07/23-24/07/23 the water in the reservoir reached Failure
Pradesh Dam FTL and started to spill out from waste weir. Seepage started from 24/07/2023
evening which was increasing at fast rate. Dam breached on 25/07/2023 morning
between RD 220 m and RD 270 m
7 Telangana Kaddam Dam 31 1955 27/07/2023 Excessive inflow Incident
8 Sikkim Teesta Basin 60 2017 04-10-2023 Sudden outburst in South Lhonak Glacial Lake in Sikkim lead to Flooding (GLOF) in Failure
dams (Teesta Teesta River on the night of 03-04 October 2023 lead to washing way of Teesta –III
3III dam, dam and heavy damages to Teesta-V dam. TLDP-II dam and TLDP-IV dam are also
Teesta-V affected but no major damage has been reported
dam, Teesta-
VI Barrage
(Under-
Construction),
TLDP-III
Dam, TLDP-
IV Dam),
Sikkim and
West Bengal
9 Telangana (Kaleshwaram20.1 2019 21/10/2023 Settlement of pier of Medigadda Barrage on the night of 21/10/2023 lead to sudden Failure
Project) release of 2.7 lakh cusec. Construction of the Barrage was completed in 2019.
Medigadda Observed leakage of water in the D/S of Annaram (Saraswathi) Barrage, Telangana
(Lakshmi ) (The piers from 16 to 21, along with the raft have sunk to varying depths and piers
Barrage tilted to varying degrees)
Annaram and
Sundilla
10 Assam Subansiri 130 Underconstru 27/10/2023 Landslide lead to obstruction of diversion tunnel and water flow through the river Incident
Lower HEP ction
11 Punjab Ranjit Sagar 147 2001 02/02/2024 Two consecutive incidences of sliding of upstream left side spillway approach Incident
Dam & channel benches of Ranjit Sagar Dam on 02.02.2024 & 17.04.2024.
17/04/2024
12 Maharasht Lohara 15.35 2017 15/07/2024 On 15th July 2024, due to heavy rainfall and a cloudburst-like situation in the Failure
ra Storage tank catchment area of the Lohara Storage Tank, there was a sudden increase in inflow of
water. A total of 64 mm rainfall was recorded at the UrdhavPenganga Project rain
gauge, Sirasm (Dist. Hingoli).
As a result, the main body wall (32 m length, chainage 148 m–180 m) was partially
washed out on the downstream side. Additionally, the embankment between CH
180–216 (top) and CH 195–205 (bottom) was completely drained out into the nalla
portion.
13 Telangana Peddavagu 22 1981 19/07/2024 Heavy rainfall and the malfunctioning of one of the three crest gates resulted in Failure
& AP Dam overtopping. The left flank bund and a portion of the right flank bund were breached
due to heavy floods, with a discharge of 76,000 cusecs, exceeding the design capacity
of 40,500 cusecs. (19/07/2024)
414 Himachal Malana II 53 2012 31/07/2024 Cloud burst occurred in Malana catchment in the night of 31.07.2024 and damage to Failure
Pradesh the Malana dam. Reportedly, the incident has caused damages in the downstream
area due to excessive discharge from the dam
15 Himachal Malana-I HEP 17 2001 31/07/2025 Cloud burst occurred in Malana catchment in the night of 31.07.2024 and damage to Failure
Pradesh the Malana dam. Reportedly, the incident has caused damages in the downstream
area due to excessive discharge from the dam
16 Himachal Pandoh Dam 76.2 1977 01-08-2024 Cloud burst occurred in the upper reaches of the Beas River during early morning of Incident
Pradesh 01-08-2024 which lead to very heavy ingress of trash & silt in the Pandoh reservoir.
The very heavy silt load has resulted in jamming of 02 no. spillway gates of the
Pandoh Dam
17 ChhattisgaVenika Dam 20.5 2019 02-08-2024 Overtopping of Venika dam on Mahan River which is owned by private company. Failure
rh Reportedly, the incident has caused damages in the downstream area due to
uncontrolled spilling of water from the dam due to non-opening of radial gates.
18 Karnataka Tungabhadra 49.39 1953 10-08-2024 Spillway gate no. 19 was washed away from the groove of the spillway on Incident
Dam 10.08.2024 at 10:50 PM.
19 Jharkhand Bokaro 11.56 1953 03-08-2024 Incident of collapse of two gates (no. 4 &8)in the morning on 3/8/24 due to heavy Incident
barrage rainfall in Damodar River catchment resulted in large inflow into the reservoir.
20 Uttar Matatila Dam 45.72 1964 05-05-2025 Damage to drain chute, gauge, pitching of Matatila Dam due to waves driven by Incident
Pradesh Lalitpur, strong winds.
21 Punjab Shahpurkandi 55.57 Underconstru 07-06-2025 Seepage of Water Through Temporary Dyke at Power House No. 2. Water entered Incident
Dam Project ction the working area of the Tail Race Channel portion downstream of Power House No.
2, filling the area from Elevation Level (EL) 338.00 m to EL 344.50 m. No
construction activity was going on at site at that time and no damage occurred to the
structure.
22 Himachal Parbati Stage- 83.7 Underconstru 25/06/2025 PARBATI-II Incident
Pradesh II ction Cloud burst incident leading to heavy silt/ sludge up to 10 to 12 feet has been
deposited in the MIV floor, Protecton/ Protection wall and TRC (Tail race channel)
of powerhouse has been completely Damaged, extensive damage to Jiwa Trench
weir, Intake Gate, Silt Flushing Channel and other structures at the site, extensive
damage to Hurla Trench weir, and other structures at the site etc.
23 Himachal Parbati Stage- 43 2014 25/06/2026 Parbati-III Incident
Pradesh III Damages have been observed downstream of Dam Plunge pool. PP gabion crates,
Wire crates and concrete blocks have been washed out on left and right bank of the
plunge pool, both DT Gates have been stuck in silt.
524 Madhya Padariya 16.13 2013 12-07-2025 Due to excessive rainfall in the catchment, Dam overflown led to embankment Failure
Pradesh Dam, breached (RD 510-590 m).
Chhatarpur,
25 Chhattisg Luti Tank 12.8 1982 02-09-2025 Due to very heavy rainfall in the catchment, the dam has failed due to overtopping Failure
arh resulting in loss of lives of people
26 Chhattisg Rajadera Tank 18.69 1982 02-11-2025 A seepage issue was reported at the dam site on 1 November 2025, as observed by Failure
arh the Executive Engineer. The seepage occurred on the downstream slope near the toe
portion and was attributed to piping. Subsequently, on 2 November 2025 at
approximately 5:00 A.M., the dam breached along the right flank portion. Although
some newspaper reports mentioned agricultural loss in the downstream village, the
field assessment confirmed that there was no loss of life or agricultural damage. The
expert team assessed that the piping failure may have occurred due to animal
burrowing.
27 Karnataka Mangala 13.1 1969 17/12/2025 On 17.12.2025 at about 1:30 a.m., a 2 m portion of the UCR wall near the sluice vent Incident
of Mangala Reservoir collapsed, causing seepage of approximately 580 cusecs.
Emergency repair works were immediately undertaken using boulders and sandbags,
and about 90% of the leakage has been controlled. Around 5–8 cusecs of leakage is
still observed, and further repair works are in progress.
28 Karnataka Hipparagi 26 2004 06-01-2026 On 06-01-2026, the gate plate of Gate No. 22 of Hipparagi Barrage was damaged, Incident
Barrage with about 1.30 m of the 8.23 m high gate collapsing, while the remaining 6.93 m
remains intact. Water is flowing downstream through the upper portion of the
collapsed gate, with an estimated discharge of approximately 6000 cusecs.
*****
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