Unlike the trend seen in recent years, we could observe only 2 HFL breach incidents in May and June 2025. Both the incidents have taken place in North Easten states with 1 each in Barak and Brahmap…| SANDRP
An analysis of the daily district wise rainfall data from India Meteorological Department (IMD) for India’s South West Monsoon 2025 (June-Sept rainfall was 937.2 mm, 8% above normal) shows that there were 2224 (2555 in 2024 SW Monsoon) instances when a district rainfall of a day was above 50 mm. Out of 738 districts of… Continue reading High Rainfall days in India’s districts in SW Monsoon 2025| SANDRP
At a recent meeting in Pune, Secretary of Union Ministry of Jal Shakti said that safety assessment of about 5000 large dams, out of total around 6000 in India is pending as per the following PIB press release. He went on to urge acceleration of dam safety assessments across the country. This is a worrying… Continue reading DRP Nov 3 2025: Safety Assessment of 5000 Indian dams pending| SANDRP
Even after more than 2 months of Dharali disaster, the CWC website still mentions that due to inaccessibility the data for Harshil site on Bhagirathi river in Uttarkashi, Uttarakhand has not been updated while the hydrograph has updated information on the water levels in the river at the site there.| SANDRP
The reality is that CWC is supposed to be India’s premier water resources agency, and it knows and acts like one. The states have to depend on CWC for approvals of all the projects, including dam safety, policy, financial resources, besides the data. This ensures that no state has the resources or feel the necessity of gathering good quality data independent of CWC.| SANDRP
On October 25, 2025, during a visit to Western Yamuna Canal (WYC), stretch at Bawana in North West Delhi, I have found number of very serious water polluting activities going on unchecked which require your kind attention and remedial measures on urgent basis as the same has potential to contaminate the water supply and cause grave health issues to the dependent citizens.| SANDRP
केंद्र और यमुना बेसिन की राज्य सरकारों द्वारा चलाई जा रही योजनाओं में सबसे बड़ी खामी है कि ये नदी को प्रदूषण और सफाई तक की सीमित संकीर्ण दृष्टि से देख रही हैं। उस पर भी अधिकतम ध्यान दिल्ली पर ...| SANDRP
Interestingly, the peak flood levels in Sept. 2025 have been lower than July 2023 upto Delhi and higher downstream Delhi upto Etawah. The 5 sites where HFLs are breached are also downstream Delhi which coincidently were attained only in July 2023. It is worth mentioning of 16 flood monitoring sites on Yamuna between Kalanaur and Etawah, the river had attained HFL at 7 sites and except Delhi Railway Bridge the remaining 6 sites are downstream Delhi.| SANDRP
The unplanned expansion is happening at the cost of open spaces, wetlands and floodplains overwhelming the drainage systems but excess rains get portrayed as the main culprit while the real ones are conveniently overlooked. The cycle is repeated as sectorial approach deals with the intertwined hydrological factors without any coordination.| SANDRP
There are two big dams Ichari on Tons and Vyasi on Yamuna and three barrages - Dakpathar on Yamuna, Asan on Asan river and Jateon barrage on Giri river in Yamuna basin in Himalayan segment which have potential to influence the natural flooding pattern of the river.| SANDRP
Disappointingly, the illegal sand mine pits are increasingly resulting in avoidable deaths of scores innocent human beings across the country on annual basis. Like in other cases, this preventable …| SANDRP
During the just concluded first half of the South West Monsoon 2020, India received 453.3 mm rainfall, just 1.1 mm above the normal rainfall of 452.2 mm during the period. The Surplus of 18% rainf…| SANDRP
In a major scary incident, the Tala Dam on Wangchhu River in Chukha district of south Bhutan has overtopped for the first time ever, on Oct 5 following unprecedented rainfall in western Bhutan, pro…| SANDRP
The 59 sites are comprised of 56 level monitoring and just 03 level forecast sites spread over 9 river basins. The maximum 32 of such incidents is more than the half have occurred in Ganga basin al…| SANDRP
In the just concluded month of Aug 2023, India received just 162.7 mm (263.8 mm in Aug 2022, 3.5% above the normal[i]) or 36.2% below normal rainfall against Aug normal rainfall of 254.9 mm as per …| SANDRP
In the month of July 2023, the second month of India’s South West 2022 monsoon, India received 318.4 mm (327.7 mm in July 2022[i]) rainfall, 13.5 % above (16.8% above normal in July 2022) the norma…| SANDRP
In the just concluded month June 2023, the first month of India’s South West 2023 monsoon, India received 148.6 mm rainfall, 10% below the normal June rainfall of 165.3 mm as per India Meteorologic…| SANDRP
Apart from HFL breach incidents at 18 sites, we could track 12 sites where flood water level in respective rivers have come close to their HFLs in Sept. 2025.| SANDRP
It is also observed that the Ganga River at Kachhala Bridge site in UP, Dhardha at Masaurhi in Bihar and Icchamati at Kuthibari, Bajitpur sites in W Bengal are breaching HFLs frequently and staying…| SANDRP
It is good to see that NEHR has gone a step forward and sent legal notice to WAPCOS and we hope not only NEHR takes WAPCOS to NGT/ Courts, but the judicial agency does take action to reject the EIA…| SANDRP
An analysis of the daily district wise rainfall data from India Meteorological Department (IMD) for the month of Aug 2025 shows that there were 664 (717 in Aug 2024; 500 in Aug 2023; 667 in Aug 202…| SANDRP
In Aug 2025, India received just 268.8 mm (295.5 mm or 15.8% above normal in Aug 2024[i], 162.7 mm or 36.2% below normal in Aug 2023[ii], 263.8 mm in Aug 2022, 3.5% above the normal[iii]) or 5.45% …| SANDRP
A flash flood disaster caused by a significant breach in Luti dam bund has killed six people while one remained missing in Dhaneshpur village near Vishram Nagar under Balrampur district of Chhattis…| SANDRP
This is a very serious matter and suggests at a catastrophic flood event to unfold in national capital whenever HKB records more than 5 or 6 lakh cusecs the peak flood volume or repeats 1978 or 201…| SANDRP
“When Jahlma Nallah starts roaring, we cannot sleep. It has been flooding for the past three years at least” said octogenarian Devi Singhji in October 2024. Jahlma Nallah, which joins t…| SANDRP
Last October, we were about 15 kms from Chasoti in the Paddar valley of Jammu when we met Dular Singh jee, Priest of Machail Mata Temple, accompanied by other members of the Temple Management Board…| SANDRP
In the just concluded month of July 2022, the second month of India’s South West 2022 monsoon, India received 327.7 mm rainfall, 16.8% above the normal July rainfall of 280.5 mm as per India Meteor…| SANDRP
No doubt, the permanent encroachments on river floodplains are among most possible reasons behind the July 2023 man-made flood disaster in the city. And presently, in the name of beautification and…| SANDRP
In the just concluded South West Monsoon 2023, India received 820 mm (925 mm in SW Monsoon 2022[i]) rainfall, about 94.45 % (106.5% in 2022) of the Normal SW Monsoon rainfall of 868.6 mm or 5.55% (…| SANDRP
In the just concluded Winter Season 2023 (January 1 2023 to February 28 2023), as per India Meteorological Department (IMD), India received 45% below Normal Rainfall (it was 44% above normal rainfa…| SANDRP
In the just concluded Winter Season 2022 (Jan 1 2022 to Feb 28 2022), as per India Meteorological Department (IMD), India received 44% above Normal Rainfall (it was 32% below normal rainfall in win…| SANDRP
In the just concluded Winter Season (Jan 1 2021 to Feb 28 2021), as per India Meteorological Department (IMD), India received 32% below Normal Rainfall. The Normal rainfall in this two-month season…| SANDRP
In the just concluded three month pre monsoon season (March 1 to May 31, 2023) India received 146.6 mm rainfall, 12% above the normal rainfall of 130.6 mm as per the India Meteorological Department…| SANDRP
In the just concluded three month pre monsoon season (March 1 to May 31, 2022) India received 130.6 mm rainfall, 1% below the normal rainfall of 131.7 mm as per the India Meteorological Department …| SANDRP
In the just concluded pre monsoon season (March 1 to May 31, 2021) India received 155.2 mm rainfall, 18% above the normal rainfall of 131.7 mm as per the India Meteorological Department (IMD). This…| SANDRP
The Karnah project has a long history of setbacks and delays. In the beginning, it was a 2 Mw small hydroelectric (SHEP) project commissioned in 1991 on Owari Nag near the actual line of control in…| SANDRP
As recent reports on SANDRP website by Parineeta Dandekar shows, the Himalayan areas are vulnerable to several kinds of disasters, made worse by climate change and mindless infrastructure developme…| SANDRP
This shows once again, that NHAI or the Ministry of Road Transport has no confidence inspiring system to firstly ensure that projects have adequate drainage component so that not only the road sust…| SANDRP
This apparent recommendation translates into abandonment of the Kaleshwaram project. This also gets strength from the huge delay by the NDSA to submit its report and then Ministry of Jal Shakti sit…| SANDRP
The available media reports clearly show that several extreme weather events fuelled by WDs have struck the Northwest and Northeast Himalayan states in pre-monsoon months in 2025, killing at least …| SANDRP
The Science and Myth surrounding a Himalayan Landslide Here, in this central spot where three valleys come togetherIs the triangle from which all phenomena originate,An abode of the yoginis of the …| SANDRP
The BBMB also publicly cited the need to follow the technical requirements based on rule curve while advocating water release for Haryana. This is also strange in early May when dam is at the lowes…| SANDRP
Undoubtedly, the government is sidelining the critical issues of environmental flows and stopping pollution in Yamuna and prioritizing commercialization of river floodplain. In fact, the Sabarmati …| SANDRP
The judiciary can only play its role in addressing the gaps in the policy or when there is a strong case built up against the illegal miners and violations in mining operations. Filing an FIR requi…| SANDRP
The discussion is still about source of funds and NDSA chairman has asked AP to initiate some work using AP’s own funds and get the expenses reimbursed afterwards. This is hardly confidence inspiri…| SANDRP
Guest Article by S P Ravi The share of hydro electricity in the energy mix of state of Kerala has come down sharply over the last three summers. Hydro share that used to be around 25-30 percent in …| SANDRP
((Above Photo of GMA office by Miss Shalini Jha) GUEST ARTICLE BY DR. RUCHI SHREE On 22-23 February, 2025, Ganga Mukti Andolan (GMA) celebrated its 43rd anniversary in Kahalgaon (Bhagalpur, Bihar).…| SANDRP
It reminds one of the Supreme Court remarks when the apex court said that the dam safety authorities at the Centre seemed to be in slumber, though it was in context of another project. The NDSA exp…| SANDRP
There are tales not just of despair but also of the inspirations coming from remarkable efforts being done by several experts, activists, community and civil society groups to protect and raise the…| SANDRP
The current developments around Indus Waters Treaty are deeply troubling. Following the heinous attack on tourists in Pehelgam, India has announced that Indus Waters Treaty, the only water sharing …| SANDRP
Guest Article by: Pradeep Purandare A PIL (152 / 2014) has been filed by this author before the Aurangabad bench of Mumbai High Court way back in 2014. Maharashtra Irrigation Act, 1976 (MIA 1976) i…| SANDRP
Many individual groups, experts and even the Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar has rightly demanded to make such an assessment to decide about the decommissioning of the dam. This is because there …| SANDRP
At the village of Jasrath in Lahaul and Spiti, the River Chandrabhaga’s current is swift and strong like a rambunctious toddler. The river is new here, birthed just 16 kms upstream at the confluenc…| SANDRP
Chenab, which translates as the Moon River is the largest of the five tributaries of River Indus. It flows for about 974 kilometers from the High Himalayas of Lahaul to the forests of Jammu and Kas…| SANDRP
In the just concluded South West Monsoon 2022, India received 925 mm rainfall, about 106.5% of the Normal SW Monsoon rainfall of 868.6 mm or 6.5% more than the normal SW Monsoon rainfall as per Ind…| SANDRP
In the just concluded South West Monsoon 2021, India received 874.6 mm rainfall, about 99.32% of the Normal SW Monsoon rainfall or just 0.68% less than the normal SW Monsoon rainfall of 880.6 mm as…| SANDRP
Krishna River Basin is in for worst floods than the previous big flood of August 2005. Already at eight sites, the water level has already crossed the previous HFL – Highest Flood Level recorded by…| SANDRP
On a related subject the publication of research about greening of Thar in recent decades partly due to increased rainfall and partly due to increased groundwater use also raises question as to why…| SANDRP
Our study earlier showed that Mumbai does not need any additional dam including Gargai if it utilizes available local resources including rainfall, reuse of treated sewage, desalinization, demand s…| SANDRP
How a 15 MW project with 55 mts high dam threatens 5 villages and a fish sanctuary After an analysis of a particularly nasty dam, I felt like going back to flowing rivers. It is monsoon after all. …| SANDRP
As per experts, the area needs constant monitoring and comprehensive study to prepare mitigation plan including relocation of Kunwari village. While the persistent landslides have been threatening …| SANDRP
According to India Meteorological Department (IMD), during the just concluded Post Monsoon Rainfall for 2023, that included rainfall during the three Oct-Dec 2023 months, India received 110.7 mm ra…| SANDRP
According to India Meteorological Department (IMD), during the just concluded Post Monsoon Rainfall for 2022, that included rainfall during Oct-Dec 2022 months, India received 144.1 mm rainfall, 19…| SANDRP
According to India Meteorological Department (IMD), during the just concluded Post Monsoon Rainfall for 2021, that included rainfall during Oct-Dec months, India received 177.7 mm rainfall, 43.54% …| SANDRP
According to India Meteorological Department (IMD), during the just concluded Post Monsoon Rainfall for 2020, that included rainfall during Oct-Dec months, India received 124.6 mm rainfall, 0.64% a…| SANDRP
India Meteorological Department (IMD) divides a water year (June 1 to May 31) into four seasons: Monsoon: (June 1 to Sept 30), Post monsoon (Oct 1 to Dec 31), Winter (Jan 1 to Feb 28/9) and Pre Mon…| SANDRP
As far as wetlands protection in India is concerned, the events here have a mix of tragedy, comedy, tragicomedy, among other genres. It will be interesting to see where this sequence of events ends…| SANDRP
On the occasion of World Water Day 2025, SANDRP compiles ten studies and research papers revealing the various cost effective and efficient methods to treat sewage and recover nutrients from sewage…| SANDRP
Rains and sewage are biggest resources available to Indian cities which can be harvesting and treated to meet the ever-increasing water needs. This can not only help significantly in checking groun…| SANDRP
Marking World Water Day 2025, this compilation highlights top ten positive efforts made during last one year by village communities and women groups in India for restoration and protection of their…| SANDRP
Aiming to advocate sustainable management of freshwater resources, the day of March 22 is annually celebrated as World Water Day across the world since 1993. The theme for this year’s 33rd such eve…| SANDRP
There is a lot one can learn from Kham River Revival as a model if we want to. The key is to first understand the problem, create a plan to address various components of the issue, going systematic…| SANDRP
In Jammu & Kashmir, the impressive activism and advocacy work of Dr. Raja Muzaffar Bhat in safeguarding the Himalayan streams from mechanized and unsustainable mineral mining is going on. The r…| SANDRP
Here we present the rainfall figures from India Meteorological Department in the just concluded month of June 2020, the first month of SW Monsoon 2020. The overall rainfall at all India level in Ju…| SANDRP
In fact, despite NGT orders and huge amount spent by the govt, the restoration works of Bellandur, Varthur, Yele Mallappa Shetty, Madiwala and Hosakerehalli lakes have not been completed. On the ot…| SANDRP
“Floods are perfectly natural events that are essential for functioning, diverse and productive ecosystems”… these natural, productive floods can be viewed as “good floods… those good-flood-support…| SANDRP
In the just concluded 2025 Winter Season (January 1 2025 to February 28 2025), as per India Meteorological Department (IMD), India received 47% below Normal Rainfall (it was 33% below normal in win…| SANDRP
According to India Meteorological Department (IMD), during the Post Monsoon Rainfall for 2024, that included rainfall during the three Oct-Dec 2024 months, India received 117.4 mm rainfall, 3% belo…| SANDRP
The questions raised range from basic justifiability of the project, problematic decision-making process at each stage of the project violating the statutory processes, the severe long term adverse…| SANDRP
The overview shows that the judicial bodies, particularly the NGT, have been dealing with various cases concerning the violations of groundwater extraction norms, including permission, use of treat…| SANDRP
(Feature Image: A tubewell installed under JJM scheme along dried up Tons river bank in Sahaspur, Dehradun. B. S. Rawat/SANDRP/May 2024) This annual overview covers relevant media reports from ten …| SANDRP
The unabated unplanned urbanization on one side has been damaging the groundwater recharge functions, sources and on the other putting more pressure on surface and underground water resources. At t…| SANDRP
At state level, a study has found that Punjab and Haryana have lost about 64.6 BCM groundwater in 17 years. Other reports also reveal that these states have extracted groundwater in unsustainable w…| SANDRP
The Srisailam, dam one of the biggest dams of India, is facing a serious dam safety issue since over a decade, and yet, strangely, there is no resolution of this in sight. All attempts seem to down…| SANDRP
Continuing the hearing into plea against the use of groundwater in 13 cricket stadiums across the country without considering alternative sources like rainwater and STP treated water, the NGT on No…| SANDRP
(Feature Image: A water conservation message painted on a wall in Dehradun. BS Rawat/SANDRP, May 2024) The fourth part of annual overview covers the top ten actions taken by central and various sta…| SANDRP
It is good to see that both BJP and Congress’s Sikkim state units have opposed the clearance, in addition to the opposition from Affected Citizens of Teesta and others. Even editorials in more than…| SANDRP
In fact, sewage is a resource and can provide multiple benefits if treated properly. The STP treated water can be used for secondary purposes. The city also needs to seriously work on harvesting ra…| SANDRP
The top ten stories come from five metros: Delhi (3), Mumbai (2), Bengaluru (2), Chennai (2) and Kolkata (1). We are sure such positive actions also happened in other cities in 2024, but we could n…| SANDRP
In scathing criticism of the government, the insider also said that for two decades Gujarat has NOT been releasing the annual figures of area irrigated in different taluka/s districts using Narmada…| SANDRP
The contaminants reported in groundwater include nitrates, fluorides, arsenic, uranium, heavy metals (Chromium, cadmium, nickel, manganese, selenium, among others), Iron, salinity, among others. Si…| SANDRP
While the groundwater greatly contributes to river baseflows during lean period, its role in flooding is miniscule comparatively with surface flows in Peninsular India. In North India the drying no…| SANDRP
In SW monsoon 2022, the HFL crossing incidents have occurred at 57 sites consisting of 42 LM and 15 LF sites in 8 river basins. The Ganga basin has seen maximum HFL breach incidents-21 followed by …| SANDRP
In pre-monsoon month of May 2022 and first month of south west monsoon season June 2022, there have been Highest Flood Level (HFL) breach incidents at 6 sites on rivers in North East and North Indi…| SANDRP
