NDSA flags concerns over stability of Srisailam dam

The National Dam Safety Authority (NDSA) has warned of a potential threat to the structural stability of the 40-year-old Srisailam dam built on Krishna river if Andhra Pradesh government doesn't take damage control measures, both long-term and short-term.

- Srinivasa Rao Apparasu

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A team of top officials of the NDSA led by its chairman Anil Jain visited Srisailam project site on April 29 and 30 to inspect the damages caused to the project over the years.

In a letter to special chief secretary (water resources) to the Andhra Pradesh government G Sai Prasad on May 5, the NDSA chairman pointed out various expert committees had inspected the Srisailam dam in the last 6-7 years, the last one being a joint inspection by a team of officials by NDSA, Central Water Commission and Central Soil and Materials Research Station (CSMRS) in February 24.

"Unfortunately, the state government has failed to comply with the recommendations made by these expert committees. The scouring of the river bed and rock profile on the downstream side of the dam has the potential to compromise the dam's safety. No one is aware about the conditions of the measures to protect the rock face against scouring," Jain said in the letter, which was seen by HT.

The technical review report of the NDSA, which was reviewed by HT, has identified several critical issues about the safety of Srisailam dam. According to the report, the inspection revealed significant damage to the plunge pool and downstream protection systems.