Topic: Disaster and disaster management.
5. India must take into account concerns regarding ageing dams, and conduct integrate risk assessment in order to ensure safety of the structures, and the safety of those who inhabit the areas downstream. Analyse. (250 words)
Difficulty level: Moderate
Reference: Down to Earth
Why the question:
the Union Ministry of Jal Shakti (water resources) reiterated in a press release that it has given directions to state governments under the Disaster Management Act, 2005, to give adjacent state authorities adequate prior warning before releasing water from reservoir or dams.
Key Demand of the question:
To write about need to focus on safety and rehabilitation of ageing dams and importance of risk assessment in them.
Directive:
Analyse – When asked to analyse, you must examine methodically the structure or nature of the topic by separating it into component parts and present them in a summary.
Structure of the answer:
Introduction:
Begin by giving context.
Body:
First, write the concerns of dam maintenance projects such as maintenance of water levels especially in the rainy season, local seismic areas and probabilities of a flash flooding and local landfalls, the issue of local land acquisition and control over the water resource as a whole and then different claims by neighbouring states etc
Next, highlight the need to maintain structural integrity of dams and the water needs of all the delta states and need for a collaborative approach.
Next, write about the role risk assessment can play in averting above concerns.
Conclusion:
Conclude by writing a way forward.
