2026: Books, Films, Discussions on State of Indian Rivers

March 21, 2026 SANDRPLeave a comment

(Feature Image: Cover page of five books on Indian rivers mentioned in this overview)

This overview puts together brief information on top five books, films, discussions, reports, and cultural stories published during previous year to present a comprehensive view on the state of rivers in India. The compilation emphasizes how rivers are deeply intertwined with ecology, society, politics and culture while highlighting the growing crises they face due to pollution, dams, urbanization and climate change. Through research, storytelling and lived experiences, the collection questions current policies and development models, stressing on the need for sustainable management, stronger accountability and recognition of rivers as living systems essential to human and ecological well-being.

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Chenab · Hydro Disaster · Landslide

March 2026: Landslide at Pakul Dul HEP in Jammu & Kashmir

March 18, 2026 SANDRPLeave a comment

(Feature Image: Search operation being conducted at Pakal Dul HEP dam site. Source: Screengrab of PNA.)

One worker has been killed; one went missing while two others sustained minor injuries following a landslide at the head race tunnel (HRT) site of Pakal Dul Hydro Electric Power (HEP) Project near Drangdhuran village in Dachan tehsil under Kishtwar district of Jammu & Kashmir as per available reports.

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Rainfall

Winter 2026: District wise Rainfall in India

March 18, 2026 SANDRPLeave a comment

In the 2026 Winter Season (January 1 2026 to February 28 2026), as per India Meteorological Department (IMD), India received 60% below Normal Rainfall (it was 47% below normal in winter 2025 [i], 33% below normal in winter 2024 [ii], it was 45% below normal in winter 2023 [iii], 44% above normal rainfall in winter 2022 [iv] and 32% below normal rainfall in winter 2021 [v]). In five of the last six years since 2021, winter rainfall has been 32% or more below normal.

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Dams, Rivers & People

DRP 160326: Urgent need for adaptive reservoir management in India

March 16, 2026March 16, 2026 SANDRPLeave a comment

(Feature Image: Vyasi dam on Yamuna river in Uttarakhand. Bhim Singh Rawat/SANDRP)

A detailed report this week in an international Water Power Magazine underlines the urgent need for India, as rest of the world to adopt adaptive reservoir management. This has become urgent as under changing climate, the Probable Maximum Precipitation figures are changing fast. In India, it has already increased by 35% in 84% of mainland. This makes the current reservoir operation models including rule curves and spillway capacities outdated. Human activities in the catchment and aging infrastructure are making the situation worse.

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Dams, Rivers & People · Rivers

International Day of Action for Rivers 2026: Efforts to Protect and Revive India’s Rivers

March 14, 2026 SANDRPLeave a comment

(Feature Image: Uttar Pradesh’s Matuka River Revived: How Farmers Got Their Lifeline On Course. Source: News18)

Marking the International Day of Action for Rivers 2026, this overview brings together several encouraging examples of people’s efforts to protect, revive and defend their rivers across India. At a time when rivers are increasingly threatened by pollution, indiscriminate sand mining, encroachments, dams and half-baked developmental projects, these stories remind us that citizens, communities and grassroots organizations remain the strongest defenders of the rivers.

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Urban Rivers

International Day of Actions for Rivers 2026: Citizens Actions to Protect Urban Rivers in India

March 13, 2026March 13, 2026 SANDRPLeave a comment

(Feature Image: Short march with a loud message: Citizens protest against Riverfront Development project in Pimpri-Chinchwad. Source: Express Photo)

On the occasion of the 29^th International Day of Action for Rivers, celebrated annually on March 14 since 1997, the SANDRP highlights ten inspiring examples of citizen-led initiatives in last one year across India aimed at protecting urban rivers. The overview showcases how citizen groups and individuals are taking action to address river pollution, oppose ecologically harmful development projects and promote restoration and conservation of urban river ecosystems. These efforts demonstrate the crucial role of public participation in safeguarding rivers and ensuring that river management prioritizes ecological health, transparency and the rights of affected communities.

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Dams, Rivers & People

DRP 090326: Polavaram Dam Safety questioned

March 9, 2026 SANDRPLeave a comment

(Feature Image: Polavaram Dam. Source: The Hindu)

The safety issues related to Polavaram dam has been under focus for some weeks now. It has come under sharper focus last week due to some very specific questions about various aspects of the Dam, from CWC, Centre for Liberty and former MP Vundavalli Arun Kumar. The project has also been under scrutiny by a panel of experts from abroad. However, the work of the Panel of Experts has remained under wraps so far, which should not have been the case.

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Dams, Rivers & People

DRP 020326: NDMA Compendium on Disaster Case studies welcome, what about accountability?

March 2, 2026March 2, 2026 SANDRPLeave a comment

(Feature Image Cover Photo of NDMA Case Studies Compendium)

The National Disaster Management Authority has published “NDMA-Case Studies Compendium” in forward of this document, NDMA members and secretary state the following, which is worth quoting here:

“The NDMA – Case Studies Compendium represents a consolidated effort to capture ten significant disaster events across the country. Each case study provides a detailed analysis of causes, responses, challenges, and lessons learnt. Together, they form a repository of knowledge that not only serves as a record of past experiences but also as a guide for shaping future strategies. The document underscores the value of applying evidence- based learning to real-world scenarios, thereby enabling stakeholders to strengthen their capacities for prevention, mitigation, preparedness, response, and recovery… The compendium also brings out recurring themes such as the indispensability of multi-agency coordination, the role of technology and innovation, the importance of community engagement, and the need for continuous institutional reforms… It is our firm belief that these documented experiences will empower senior administrators and disaster managers to make informed, timely, and effective decisions when confronted with emergencies… This… is presented with the hope that it will inspire reflection, strengthen institutional capacities, and promote a culture of continuous learning in disaster risk reduction and management.”

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Dams, Rivers & People

DRP 230226: Time for a Nationwide INDEPENDENT AUDIT of Dam Safety

February 23, 2026February 23, 2026 SANDRPLeave a comment

(Feature Image: Cracks in Medigadda barrage structure. Source: DC, Jan. 2024)

The recommendation of Nation-wide audit of Dam Safety in India in the editorial in Deccan Herald, following International Conference on Dam Safety in Bangalore on Feb 12-13 is very important and timely, the only added proviso required is that the audit must be independent. Dam Safety is essential for public safety and how can this objective be achieved if everything related to dam safety is shrouded in secrecy, with entry to all work and meetings restricted to what the government describes as experts, mostly govt officials, current and retired.

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Urban Water Bodies · Wetlands

2025: People’s Actions to Protect, Restore Wetlands in India

February 21, 2026 SANDRPLeave a comment

(Feature Image: Citizens under Save Kavesar Lake campaign carrying out a march in Thane in June 2025. Source: Manohar Dumbre FB Post)

This final 2025 India Wetlands overview documents wetland-related developments during 2025 & highlights remarkable actions by individuals, community and citizen groups to protect lakes and water bodies across India during past one year. It also covers some encouraging and collective efforts undertaken to reclaim and revive degraded wetlands. Together, these inspiring stories reflect on growing awareness among people that wetlands are vital for water security, flood protection and climate resilience.

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