India is undertaking one of the world’s largest dam rehabilitation and safety modernisation programmes focused on strengthening ageing water infrastructure.

Status of Dams in India

• India has the world’s third-largest dam network with 6,628 specified dams after the United States and China.
• Around 98.5% of these dams are owned by the State Government.
• Maharashtra has the highest number of specified dams, followed by Madhya Pradesh, and Gujarat. 

Key issues of Dam safety in India

• Ageing: About 26% (1,681 dams) of these dams are more than 50 years old.
• Sedimentation: Reservoirs have lost an average of 19 % of their gross storage capacity due to sedimentation.
• Seismic vulnerability: E.g. The earthquake in Bhuj (Gujarat) in 2001, led to liquefaction in the foundation of Chang Dam.
• Vulnerability to Glacial Lake Outburst: E.g., in 2023, Chungthang Dam (Sikkim) was washed away during flash floods caused by a glacial lake outburst.
• Other: Changing hydrological patterns and increasing climate variability.