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UN report provides an overview of the current state of knowledge on the ageing of large dams.
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According to the report, four Asian countries – China, Japan, India and South Korea – contribute to 55% of dams across the world and the majority of these dams are approaching the 50-year limit.
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Mullaperiyar Dam:
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The Mullaperiyar dam in Kerala was built on the Periyar river in 1895.
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The dam is located in a seismically active area, making it prone to earthquakes. The intended lifespan of the dam is 50 years.
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A minor earthquake caused cracks in the dam in 1979, and in 2011, more cracks appeared in the dam due to seismic activity. It warns that in case of a catastrophe, 3.5 million people would be in danger.
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What are the steps taken by the Indian Government to protect Mullaperiyar Dam?
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In 1979, Central Water Commission(CWC) had reported some distress conditions in the Mullaperiyar dam. Thereafter, some emergency and short term measures were completed by the Government of Tamil Nadu.
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In 2014, the Empowered Committee set up by the Supreme Court concluded that the Mullaperiyar dam was safe in all respects, viz., hydrologically, structurally and seismically.
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In 2021, the World Bank-funded Dam Rehabilitation and Improvement Project (DRIP), carried out dam safety inspections for 28 dam projects of Kerala.
Prelims Fact: Commissioning or decommissioning of dams owned by State Governments is exclusively within the purview of the dam owning State.