India has initiated a comprehensive risk assessment of all its dams, marking a significant step in implementing the National Dam Safety Act and strengthening public safety protocols in the face of climate change and recent flooding disasters. The exercise is the first of its kind since the Act’s enactment, and it aims to establish a robust database of dam risks across the country, which ranks third globally in the number of dams, after the United States and China.

The impetus for this nationwide review comes from increasing climate-related risks and a series of dam-linked flooding incidents that have caused significant loss of life and property. Notably, two major flooding events in 2023 underscored the vulnerability of India’s water infrastructure. In light of these challenges, authorities are taking a structured, scientific approach to identify vulnerabilities in the country’s dams and to prioritize interventions to mitigate potential disasters.

Under the National Dam Safety Act, all specified dams are required to undergo periodic risk assessments. To facilitate this, the National Dam Safety Authority (NDSA) has developed a digital platform called Rapid Risk Screening of Specified Dams (RRSSD). This tool evaluates dams based on three key parameters: fragility, vulnerability, and downstream impacts, enabling a systematic ranking of risk and guiding mitigation efforts.

As of November 25, 2025, India has a total of 6,545 operational dams and 83 dams under construction. Out of these, 1,853 dams have already been screened and verified, representing the first nationwide attempt to prioritize dams based on safety risks. This ranking will assist states in targeting investments toward rehabilitation, retrofitting, and other risk-mitigation measures, ensuring that resources are efficiently allocated to structures posing the greatest hazard to downstream communities.

Recent dam-related disasters have highlighted the urgent need for such assessments. In October of the previous year, South Lhonak lake in Sikkim, a glacial water body, overflowed and caused a breach at the Teesta III hydropower project, resulting in at least 100 deaths. In addition, heavy monsoon rains over Himachal Pradesh and Uttarakhand in the past two years have claimed more than 400 lives, emphasizing the risk posed by glacial melt and extreme weather events on dam safety. Amit Mrig, former faculty at the Indian Institute of Technology, Roorkee, observed that such events are indicative of the mounting challenges due to climate change-induced glacial melt, which can lead to catastrophic dam breaches.

To ensure uniformity and high-quality assessments across the country, the NDSA has issued a detailed template for states and dam owners. This template mandates evaluations by independent panels of experts and establishes a standard technical framework to ensure consistency and reliability in assessing dam safety. This step is crucial in complying with Section 38(1) of the Dam Safety Act, which outlines the responsibilities of authorities and dam owners in maintaining structural integrity and operational safety.

Another critical aspect of the national safety protocol involves standardizing procedures for newly constructed dams. The NDSA has issued a pre-filling standard operating procedure, which ensures that the hydrological performance, structural behavior, and safety systems of dams are thoroughly reviewed before the first impoundment of water. Impoundment, which refers to the storage of water in a dam’s reservoir, is a key phase for hydropower and irrigation projects, and proper assessment at this stage can prevent avoidable accidents.

Additionally, the NDSA has provided model terms of reference for recasting dam drawings, assisting dam owners in updating missing or outdated engineering documentation. This is an essential requirement under Section 22(1) of the Act, which mandates accurate and current technical records to support effective monitoring and maintenance.

Emergency preparedness is another central focus of the ongoing audit. States have been instructed to upload Emergency Action Plans (EAPs) steadily, and authorities are closely monitoring the completion of these plans to ensure timely responses in the event of dam incidents. The EAPs include detailed procedures for evacuation, disaster management, and communication with downstream communities, helping minimize the impact of potential failures.

Officials emphasize that this nationwide safety audit is not merely a bureaucratic exercise but a critical public safety initiative. By scientifically assessing dams for structural integrity and operational risks, the NDSA and state authorities aim to mitigate the dangers posed by aging infrastructure, climate change, and extreme weather events. The exercise also represents a shift toward a proactive approach in dam management, moving away from reactive responses that typically follow disasters.

The nationwide database being developed under this audit will serve as a centralized repository of risk information, enabling authorities to track the status of dam safety measures, identify high-risk structures, and monitor compliance with statutory requirements. This, in turn, will support long-term planning, rehabilitation, and resource allocation, ensuring that dams continue to serve their intended purposes without endangering lives or property.

In summary, India’s ongoing dam safety audit marks a major milestone in infrastructure risk management, driven by legal mandates, climate change considerations, and recent disaster experiences. By leveraging digital tools, standardized technical protocols, and independent expert evaluations, the government aims to strengthen the safety of all 6,545 dams and ensure that the country’s critical water resources remain secure for future generations.

The success of this initiative will depend not only on robust technical assessments but also on effective implementation of risk mitigation strategies, enforcement of safety protocols, and timely updates to emergency action plans. As climate variability and extreme weather events increase, proactive measures such as these are essential to prevent catastrophic dam failures and safeguard communities across India.