Dam safety: Agencies in a race against time to complete the comprehensive dam safety evaluation

Agencies operating dams in the State are in a race against time to complete the comprehensive dam safety evaluation (CDSE), a mandatory activity under the Dam Safety Act, 2021, before the end of the year.

Owners of dams are required to complete the first CDSE within five years of the commencement of the Dam Safety Act. As per this requirement, the deadline is December 2026, just eight months away. Dams in Kerala are managed by the Kerala State Electricity Board (KSEB), the Water Resources department and the Kerala Water Authority (KWA).