The Tamil Nadu government has set up independent expert panels to evaluate safety of 86 major dams, such as Mettur and Vaigai. A comprehensive assessment for each dam must be completed by December 30, 2026, as mandated by the National Dam Safety Act.
Key Takeaways
- 86 dams will undergo thorough safety reviews by independent expert panels.
- The first complete assessment for each dam is required by December 30, 2026.
- Panels comprise senior specialists from hydrology, geology, seismology and standards bodies.
The Water Resources Department of Tamil Nadu issued an order this week placing 86 dams and reservoirs—including Mettur, Bhavanisagar, Amaravathy and Vaigai—under the scrutiny of independent expert panels. This move aligns with the deadlines set by the National Dam Safety Act, 2021, and aims to ensure that all designated structures meet modern safety standards.
Panel Composition and Mandate
The panels bring together veteran professionals such as former Central Water Commission chairmen J. Chandrashekhar Iyer and A.K. Bajaj, ex‑heads of the Krishna River Management Board Yoginder Kumar Sharma and Shailesh Kumar Srivastava, and former Chief Engineer of the Tamil Nadu Water Resources Department R. Selvam. Each panel will be chaired by the supervising engineer acting as member‑secretary, guaranteeing administrative coherence.
Legal Framework and Timeline
Under the National Dam Safety Act, 2021, a comprehensive safety assessment for every listed dam must be finalized on or before December 30, 2026. The Act covers both intra‑state and inter‑state structures, introducing a uniform safety protocol across India’s water infrastructure.
Age Distribution and Risk Profile
Out of the 123 dams recorded under the Act in Tamil Nadu, five are over a century old, 59 fall in the 50‑99‑year bracket, 40 are 25‑49 years old, and the remaining 19 are relatively new. Older dams demand meticulous structural review, especially given evolving seismic threats and changing hydrological patterns.
Looking Ahead
Expert panels will evaluate each dam from safety, design, seismology, hydro‑mechanics, geology, hydrology and instrumentation perspectives. Their findings will inform remedial actions, retrofits, or targeted maintenance programs, thereby strengthening Tamil Nadu’s water security and disaster resilience.
