Thu Sep 18 02:30:00 UTC 2025: Okay, here’s a summary and a news article based on the provided text:

**Summary:**

India faces a growing challenge with its aging dam infrastructure. Many of the large dams built after Independence are nearing the end of their intended lifespans, raising significant safety and performance concerns. These concerns stem from structural, hydraulic, and geotechnical weaknesses, exacerbated by climate change and often underestimated sedimentation rates. The Dam Safety Act of 2021 established a framework for inspection, maintenance, and emergency preparedness, but the article highlights the need for more comprehensive risk assessments, including economic factors, and a national policy on dam decommissioning. The case studies of Mullaperiyar, Hirakud, and Bhakra Nangal dams illustrate the complexities and potential risks associated with managing aging dam infrastructure in India.

**News Article:**

**India Grapples with Aging Dam Infrastructure as Climate Risks Loom**

**New Delhi, September 18, 2025:** India is facing a growing crisis as its vast network of dams, many built in the decades following independence, reach the end of their intended lifespan. A recent analysis by The Hindu highlights the urgent need for comprehensive safety assessments and upgrades, as these aging structures face increasing threats from climate change and other factors.

“At Independence, the new Government of India … made the building of big dams a central part of its strategy for transforming India,” wrote historian Daniel Klingensmith in his 2007 book.

Of the 4,000 dams completed by 2000, over a thousand are now between 50 and 100 years old. These aging structures are susceptible to structural weaknesses, hydraulic failures, and geotechnical problems, all exacerbated by changing weather patterns and increased sediment buildup. For example, some dams have lost over 25% of its reservoir’s capacity in the first 35 years of its use.

“Dams more than 50 years old today have outdated spillway capacities and structural safety factors and require urgent attention to ensure they can continue to function safely,” reports The Hindu.

The Dam Safety Act of 2021 established a framework for monitoring and maintaining these critical structures. The Act created the National Committee on Dam Safety and the National Dam Safety Authority (NDSA).

However, experts are calling for more robust risk assessments that consider not only engineering factors but also economic impacts and the potential for catastrophic failure. Crucially, India currently lacks a national policy on dam decommissioning, focusing instead on extending the lifespan of dams at all costs. Risk-based frameworks, like the one proposed by experts, can provide a method to determine a dam’s failure risk.

The analysis points to specific high-risk dams, including:

* **Mullaperiyar (Kerala):** A 130-year-old dam in a seismically active zone with known leaks and a limited spillway capacity.
* **Hirakud (Odisha):** One of the world’s longest earthen dams, facing sedimentation and challenges in managing increased flood risks.
* **Bhakra Nangal (Himachal Pradesh/Punjab):** A critical water supply linchpin, facing decreased reservoir capacity due to siltation.

The analysis serves as a wake-up call for India to prioritize the safety and long-term sustainability of its dam infrastructure, safeguarding communities and economies against the potential for devastating failures in an era of increasing climate volatility.

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