DMR Safety Protocol for Enhancing Climate Resilience of Himalayan Hydropower Dams

Vast hydropower energy in Himalayas has been tapped and is being tapped to meet the expanding needs of the society for renewable and carbon free electric power and electric energy. Himalayan Hydropower dams are an integral component of hydroelectric projects constructed and planned across Himalayan states in India, Nepal and Bhutan. These Himalayan hydropower dams, being located in Steep topography, narrow valleys with fragile geology are considered to possess unique characteristics which are different from other dams planned on broad and flat river valleys in other parts of India. Planning and design of these hydropower dams has been influenced in the past by the geomorphological, geological and topographical characteristics of Dam Sites where these dams have been built.

Climate change in 21st century is a reality. Recent incidents in India and elsewhere indicate that current design, construction and operation practices of Himalayan hydropower dams are not sufficient to account for climate change. In climate related Incidents (GLOF/cloud burst/landslides), it has been observed that crest type gated spillways as well as low level gated spillways were inadequate to handle sudden flashfloods coupled with movement of Boulders, debris and tree logs. With spillways non-functional, both concrete dams and earthen dams have been found to be overtopped.

Current technical literature and standards on dams do not fully address the climate change induced scenarios. Therefore, a new protocol for enhancing climate resilience of existing and new Himalayan hydropower dams has been proposed. This new protocol is suggested to supplement/alter the current practices to ensure safer and dependable dams for their entire lifecycle.

Several other initiatives on enhancing dam safety have also been taken up by governments such as enactment of dam safety act in India, World Bank funded DRIP Phase-I and Phase-II program for up gradation and rehabilitation of select existing dams in India and other initiatives in Nepal and Bhutan.

We believe, our suggested new protocol together with initiatives of dam owners and regulatory Authorities will result in safer dams which will continue to serve the society for years to come.