Topic: Disaster and disaster management.
6. With the likelihood of extreme weather patterns increasing because of global warming, operational management of dams deserves equal importance. Analyze. (250 words).
Reference: Down to earth
Why this question
India’s reservoirs now have 155% more water than last year. Live storage in 123 reservoirs is at 66.372 billion cubic metres (BCM) or 39 per cent of total live storage capacity. However, in the past, we have noticed the mismanagement of dams has led to disastrous floods. One of the key role was played by dams and understanding their role in floods would pave the way for enhancing our readiness.
Key demand of the question
The question expects us to explain how operational management of floods is critical in mitigation of impact of floods. We need to explain why this is so, along with lacunae in our dam management. Finally, we need to discuss the way forward for improving the status of dam management.
Directive word
Analyze – When asked to analyze, you have to examine methodically the structure or nature of the topic by separating it into component parts and present them as a whole in a summary.
Structure of the answer
Introduction
Mention that the India’s reservoirs now have 155% more water than last year. Live storage in 123 reservoirs is at 66.372 billion cubic metres (BCM) or 39 per cent of total live storage capacity dams in India. Talk about the Kerala floods, Chennai floods etc have shown the devastating impact of poor operational management of dams.
Body
Discuss the role played by operational management of dams in catalysing the devastating impact of floods.
Cite illustrations from the Kerala floods and Chennai floods in the past to show that release of water by dams enhances the destructive impact of floods. Highlight the other associated problems caused by dams in accentuating the destruction caused by floods – silting of rivers, problems in hilly areas etc
Discuss the issues with dam management in India – dam management is engineering oriented in its approach, detailed holistic study determining the impact of dams is not done, impact on community not ascertained, evaluation of spillway capacity not done etc
Discuss in brief about the Dam management bill that was brought in to address the issue.
Suggest ways in which the same can be improved
Conclusion:
Give your view on how important operational management of dams is in mitigating the devastating impact of disasters and discuss the way forward.