EnvironmentSaturday, 18 July 2026·The Hindu - Tamil Nadu
Tamil Nadu forms expert panels for dam safety review of 86 dams, including Mettur and Vaigai
Tamil Nadu has set up independent expert panels to scrutinise 86 dams and reservoirs, with first comprehensive assessments due by 30 December 2026.
Key highlights
Direct fact
In July 2026, Tamil Nadu approved independent expert panels to examine 86 dams and reservoirs, including Mettur, Bhavanisagar, Amaravathy and Vaigai, under the National Dam Safety Act, 2021, with the first comprehensive assessment deadline set for 30 December 2026.
Key specifics
- 86 dams and reservoirs in Tamil Nadu will come under expert scrutiny.
- 19 dams will be examined for safety, design, seismology, hydro mechanics, geology, hydrology and instrumentation.
- The National Dam Safety Act, 2021 is the legal basis for the review.
- The first comprehensive dam safety assessment must be completed on or before 30 December 2026.
- Of the 123 dams listed under the law in Tamil Nadu, 5 are at least 100 years old.
Exam lens
Question type: environment and governance, dam safety law, age-wise classification of dams, expert panel composition. TNPSC one-liner: Under which Act are Tamil Nadu’s 86 dams and reservoirs being reviewed, and what is the deadline for the first comprehensive assessment?