DRP 091126: Shift towards Weather Forecast based Dams’ Operation

November 9, 2026 SANDRPLeave a comment

(Feature Image: Model performance computed across 71 stations (a) NAT-KGE: median 0.4 (b) NAT-NSE: median 0.42 (c) DAM-KGE: median 0.47 (d) DAM-NSE: median 0.60. Source: AGU)

A new study has again emphasized on why dam operations in India need to move from routine schedules to weather forecast based management. The study analyzed 223 dams across the country over 23 years by comparing river flows with and without the dams. Most importantly, the study has highlighted the limitations of dams in controlling successive floods. It found that about 74% of the dams were more than 90% full on the day of a high-flood event. Thus, leaving very little space to hold the next heavy rainfall spell and control resultant floods.

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Highest Flood Level Breach in October 2026

November 1, 2026November 1, 2026 SANDRPLeave a comment

(Feature Image: CWC hydrograph of Melliaputti site on Mahendrathanaya river in Sirkakulam district, Andhra Pradesh)

In Oct. 2026, the first month after southwest monsoon season, we could document Highest Flood Level (HFL) breach incident at four flood monitoring sites of Central Water Commission (CWC). The final analysis of HFL breach incidents at 50 flood monitoring sites across country during southwest monsoon season 2026 can be seen here.

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Bhutan · Climate Change · GLOF · Himalayas

Oct 2026: Shintaphu Lake GLOF and Artificial Lake in Bhutan

October 30, 2026November 9, 2026 SANDRPLeave a comment

(Feature Image: Shintaphu Lake. Source: The Bhutanese. It is not clear whether the image is old or post Oct 2026 GLOF)

A glacial lake outburst flood (GLOF) was reported from Shintaphu Lake in Bhutan’s Gasa district on the evening of Oct. 29, 2026. The disaster triggered flash flood alerts in downstream areas of Bhutan and India. Bhutan’s National Centre for Hydrology and Meteorology (NCHM) is stated to be monitoring the situation. The cause, volume of water released and full extent of the damage are still being assessed.

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Floods · Highest Flood Level · Monsoon · Rivers

Rivers in Extreme Floods During SW Monsoon 2026

October 3, 2026 SANDRPLeave a comment

(Feature Image: Aerial view of a residential area inundated by Ganga floodwaters in Patna, Bihar on Sept. 10, 2026. Source: TNIE/Credit: PTI)

This is the final analysis of CWC’s flood monitoring sites where we could track rivers crossing their respective Highest Flood Levels (HFL) in months of July (at 15 sites), Aug. ( at 10 sites) and Sept. ( at 25 sites) during South West Monsoon Season 2026.

In addition, there are 2 sites where HFL breach has happened on Oct. 01, 2026 and 1 site where HFL breach is missed by narrow margin on Oct. 02, 2026. All the three sites are part of Ganga basin and details of the same is given in table 1 and 2 below.

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Floods · Ganga · Highest Flood Level · Rivers

Rivers Crossing Highest Flood Levels in Sept 2026

October 1, 2026October 2, 2026 SANDRPLeave a comment

(Feature Image: River Yamuna at Palla in Delhi in Aug. 2026. BS Rawat/SANDRP)

In the last month of south west monsoon season 2026, we have been able to track Central Water Commission’s (CWC) 25 flood monitoring sites where rivers have crossed their respective Highest Flood Levels (HFL). These sites are spread over 5 river basins in 5 states.

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Floods · Highest Flood Level · Rivers

July 2026: Rivers Crossing Highest Flood Levels

August 6, 2026September 27, 2026 SANDRPLeave a comment

(Feature Image: Yamuna river at Kalanaur flood monitoring station in Saharanpur on March 31, 2025. SANDRP)

In July 2026, SANDRP has documented Highest Flood Level (HFL) breaches at least at 15 flood monitoring sites of Central Water Commission (CWC) in India. These 15 sites are spread over 7 river basins, with maximum 4 sites in Brahmaputra basin followed by 3 sites each in Brahmani & Baitarani and Mahanadi basin, 2 sites in West Flowing Rivers from Tapi to Tadri basin and at 1 site each in Ganga, Narmada and Tapi river basin.

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Dam Decommissioning · Dam Safety · Dams, Rivers & People

2025: Silt accumulation in Indian Dams: Reducing entry of silt is the only viable option

December 18, 2025December 18, 2025 SANDRPLeave a comment

(Feature Image: Luhri-I HEP muck dump along Satluj river. Credit HNA, Aug 2024)

This annual overview highlights the critical issue of siltation in dams across India. Silt accumulation is defeating the very ‘multi-purposes’ for which they were built. While the reduced storage has been hampering dam-based water supplies, it is also leading to their fast filling up and untimely releases in monsoon season thus creating avoidable floods. It is in some case has also been resulting in plans to construct additional reservoirs and increase in dam height.

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Dam Disaster · Dam Safety · Dams, Rivers & People

Kaleshwaram Project 2025: Inquiries Done, Actions Missing

December 17, 2025 SANDRPLeave a comment

(Feature Image: Wide crack in Medigadda (Lakshmi) barrage of Kaleshwaram. Credit: Nagara Gopal)

The year 2025 has seen revealing information on three inquiry reports highlighting how the Kalewshwaram project have become a massive failure on all fronts be it designing or implementing the dam project or even acting on probe reports. While govt seems to reverify liability of officials indicted in V&E report, it ended up seeking CBI investigation after tabling Ghose panel report in state assembly in Aug 2025. Similarly, the NDSA report is being followed only for fixing the damages while action against the responsible govt officials and private players is clearly missing.

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Dam Disaster

Feb. 2025: Srisailam Dam Left Bank Tunnel Collapse Disaster

December 14, 2025December 15, 2025 SANDRPLeave a comment

(Feature Image: A rescue worker at the SLBC tunnel. Credit: Nagara Gopal)

The SLCB tunnel collapse in Feb. 2025 is among worst dam-tunnel disaster this year in India. The incident occurred just four days after resuming tunneling work after a long halt killing at least 8 workers. Despite, two-month long multi agency search operation only two bodies were retrieved while mortals of six still remain buried inside the tunnel. The TBM involved in tunnelling has also been damaged. Given risky situation the rescue work was stopped in April end and there is no update on the same so far. Nearly 10 months after the disaster, there is no official report probing the reasons and addressing the concerns over inadequate geological, geotechnical inspections.

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Dam Safety

2025: Govts, Judiciary Actions on Dam Safety in India

December 13, 2025 SANDRPLeave a comment

(Feature Image: Experts visit Srisailam dam to assess its structural safety in May 2025. Source)

At national level, the NDSA has carried safety audit of 1853 large dams out of 6545 as of Nov. 25, 2025. In July 2025, the Central govt announced to reconstitute NCDS for a period of three years. Before this the NDSA in April 2025 organized a symposium on Dam Safety Act 2021. It has also released the updated version of National Register on Specified Dams 2025. At state level, the Tamil Nadu govt in July 2025 has planned to set up separate dam safety wing. The Punjab govt in May 2025 moved resolution in state assembly to annul Dam Safety Act and planned to enact its own dam safety bill.

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