(a) the details of major dams in the country located in the seismic zones;
(b) whether any survey has been conducted as to whether
these dams can withstand the fury of earthquake of the
magnitude to the one that struck Gujarat; and
(c) if so, the outcome of the survey and the action taken thereon?
THE MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF WATER RESOURCES (SMT. BIJOYA CHAKRAVARTY)
(a) The country has been divided into 5 seismic zones
depending on the intensity of earthquake likely to occur and
a total of 3596 dams are located in these zones.
(b) The aseismic design of dams is governed by Bureau of
Indian Standards Code 1893-1984. Some of the old dams not
designed as per the current code are likely to be damaged in
the event of an earthquake of the magnitude which occurred
in Gujarat recently.
(c) Dams are owned and maintained by the State Governments
and, it is for the States to regularly review the safety of
the existing dams as per guidelines issued by the Central
Water Commission. Under the World Bank aided Dam Safety
Assurance and Rehabilitation Project, a few dams in Orissa,
Madhya Pradesh, Tamil Nadu and Rajasthan were strengthened.