Earthquakes near Dams Being Monitored by NSC

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The National Centre of Seismology (NCS) monitors the earthquake activity in the country on 24/7 basis. Also, the Hydro-Power Project Authorities have placed seismic systems in and around dam sites to monitor the seismicity close to dams. A total of 18 earthquakes with magnitude 3.0 and above have been recorded by the NCS network in the close vicinity of major dams during the last three years.

This information was given by Dr Harsh Vardhan, Minister of Earth Sciences, Science & Technology and Health & Family Welfare and in a written reply in the Lok Sabha on 20 March 2020. The minister had said that the Central Water Commission, Ministry of Jal Shakti, is a nodal agency for carrying out periodic inspections of dams to ensure their safety.

The occurrence of earthquakes in and around dams is not always associated with the huge water storage. It depends upon the pre-existing geological I tectonic setting of the region. The reservoir-triggered events have been reported in different parts of the world in active tectonics regimes. In India, such events have been reported mainly from the Koyna-Warna region, which hosts a major dam.

The major dams in India have been designed and constructed taking into consideration the seismic vulnerability of the region. However, the Central Dam Safety Organization, under Central Water Commission carries out regular inspections for Dam safety.