In the three month pre monsoon season (March 1 to May 31, 2026) India received 131.3 mm (185.8 mm in Pre-Monsoon 2025, 125.9 mm in Pre-Monsoon 2024, 146.6 mm in Pre Monsoon 2023[i]) rainfall, 0.54% above (42% above normal in Pre-Monsoon 2025, 4% below normal in Pre-Monsoon 2024 and 12% above in Pre Monsoon 2023) the normal rainfall of 130.6 mm as per the India Meteorological Department (IMD). In 2020[ii] , 2021[iii] and 2022[iv] India received 158.5 mm, 155.2 mm and 130.6 or 20% above normal, 18% above normal and 1% below rainfall respectively. So, India has received above normal rainfall in 5 of the last 7 years in Pre-Monsoon season since 2020.
Continue reading “Pre Monsoon 2026: District Wise Rainfall in India”
DRP 290626: Can 2027 Nashik Kumbh help improve the state of Godavari River?
(Feature Image: Godavari river in Nashik. Source: SANDRP Guest blog by Shilpa Dahake in Dec. 2017)
This week, the Question of Cities (QofC) has, with their focus on Godavari River in Nashik city in view of the 2027 Simhastha Kumbha Mela, once again sought to bring the question to centre stage: Can Kumbh Mela help improve the state of Godavari River rather than worsen it as seems to be the case currently? QofC has gone into depth related to various aspects that are worsening the state of Godavari River in Nashik, including concretization of the river bed and river banks, cutting down of large number of trees, destruction of kunds and generally worsening the water quality in the river. Currently, each Kumbh Mela seems to leave the river in worsening state, rather than improve it.
Continue reading “DRP 290626: Can 2027 Nashik Kumbh help improve the state of Godavari River?”
June 2026: Flash Flood Disaster at NEEPCO’s HEP Site in Arunachal Pradesh
(Feature Image: Scren grab of flash flood passing through NEEPCO 43 Colony at PLHEP site in mornng hour of June 24, 2026. Source: Pratidin Time news)
A severe flash flood spell in the Poosa–Yazali area of Keyi Panyor district, Arunachal Pradesh on June 24, 2026, has significantly affected NEEPCO’s 43 colony located near the Panyor Lower Hydroelectric Project (PLHEP) site, close to the reservoir of the HEP. The disaster occurred around 6 in the morning, heavy spell creating a cloud burst like situation.
Continue reading “June 2026: Flash Flood Disaster at NEEPCO’s HEP Site in Arunachal Pradesh”
The Nowhere-land of Ravi
As we reached Makora Pattan, sun was setting over the River Ravi and before us spread a sea of oranges and rubies. Late October kash blooms crowded the high sandy banks and across the vast silken expanse of water, the other bank was barely visible. Rivers of the Indus basin are called Darya in the plains of Punjab. Darya: a word interchangeable with the sea.
Continue reading “The Nowhere-land of Ravi”
DRP 220626: Bodhghat Dam Faces Strong Tribal Resistance
(Feature Image: Location of proposed Bodhghat and other dams on the Indravati River. Source: Research Gate)
The Bodhghat dam on the Indravati River in Bastar, Chhattisgarh has reportedly been revived after more than 45 years. The project was first planned in 1979 but remained stalled due to multiple concerns. Recently, govt has restarted the process of land survey for the project. It is now estimated to cost about ₹49,000 crore. The project aims to generate hydropower and irrigate 3.5 lakh hectares. It also promises drinking water and other benefits. However, it will submerge at least 13,783 hectares of forest and farmland including rich biodiversity areas.
Continue reading “DRP 220626: Bodhghat Dam Faces Strong Tribal Resistance”
One More Monsoon: Governance, Accountability and the Collapse of Madhopur Barrage
“Ye paani samne aa gaya. Gate khul nahi rahe to grenade dalo, blast kardo. Ye pura beh jaayega.”
“The water is right in front of us. If the gates are not opening, blast them with a grenade. Everything will be washed off.”
– Ex-Minister Lal Singh Chaudhary (Basholi, J&K) at Madhopur Barrage, on the eve of Madhopur gate collapse.[1]
On the 27th of August 2025, after facing several days of floods from a swollen, angry Ravi River, three gates of Madhopur Barrage at Pathankot crashed into the brown, swirling waters. Around this time, a team of engineers and helpers were on the barrage, making dangerous but futile attempts at opening the jammed gates. Three people fell in the flood, two were rescued but one body was later recovered underwater, from the wrecked gates they were trying to open. Earlier that morning, 22 CRPF jawans were airlifted from a building next to the barrage, moments before it collapsed into the raging river. The flood unleashed a wave of destruction in the downstream.
Continue reading “One More Monsoon: Governance, Accountability and the Collapse of Madhopur Barrage”
June 2026: Mining Destabilizing Himalayan Rivers, Infrastructures in HP, UKD
(Feature Image: Damaged bridge on Malan river in Kotdwar, Uttarakhand in July 2023. Source: Amar Ujala)
Unscientific mining of riverbed minerals has emerged as a major geomorphic and disaster risk driver in Uttarakhand and Himachal Pradesh as per reports from past few years. Recent studies sharing examples of Ganga and Gaula rivers reveal broader pattern of how excessive riverbed extraction have been changing the very shape and behaviour of Himalayan rivers. The studies find that such mining is resulting in deepening of riverbeds, narrowing down of water channel thus disturbing the natural balance of riverbed minerals.
Continue reading “June 2026: Mining Destabilizing Himalayan Rivers, Infrastructures in HP, UKD”
June 2026: Impact of Mining on River Infrastructures in Punjab, Haryana
(Feature Image: The flood protection work around the pillars of already mining threatened Agampur bridge over the Sutlej river in Ropar district was damaged following discharges from Bhakra dam on June 15, 2026 night. Source: The Tribune)
This report attempts to document the impact of excessive mining activities on river infrastructure in Punjab and Haryana between 2023 and 2026. Our previous nationwide analysis on the subject can be seen here for 2023 and 2022.
Based on the available reports, at least three bridges have been impacted by riverbed mining operations in Punjab during past three years. This includes the Algran bridge on Swan river, which suffered severe damage during the 2023 floods. The bridge has remained shut since Dec. 2023 affecting connectivity for scores of villages.
Continue reading “June 2026: Impact of Mining on River Infrastructures in Punjab, Haryana”
DRP 150626: BBMB at cross roads: More outflow pushed in Super El Nino year
(Feature Image: The Tribune’s file photo of Pandoh dam)
The Bhakra Beas Management Board seems to be at cross roads in several senses this year. In a Super El Nino year, when deficit rainfall prospects loom large, one would expect BBMB advocating lower outflows to ensure reservoir has higher storages if rainfall is indeed lower than normal. Particularly when there is also news of lower (2.2 BCM against normal of 4 BCM) snow fall and snow reserve in the catchment and just about half the expected inflows currently. Another report says BBMB has cancelled the tendering process for pilot desilting project in Bhakra reservoir in Bilaspur district in Himachal Pradesh. No one is of course asking for investigation as to how so much silt has entered the reservoir in last couple of decades with the increasing upstream construction activities in terms of hydropower projects, highways and urbanization, all leading to illegal dumping of muck into the upstream rivers.
Continue reading “DRP 150626: BBMB at cross roads: More outflow pushed in Super El Nino year”
Yamuna Manthan June 2026: Any Hope from Apex Court’s 3rd River Cleanup Attempt?
(Feature Image: Confluence of Yamuna (left) and Aglar river (left) in Dehradun in April 2025. BS Rawat/SANDRP)
In a significant development, the ongoing proceedings before the Hon’ble Supreme Court on May 27, 2026, in the Kondli drain pollution matter appear to have expanded into a broader Yamuna rejuvenation case. Notably, this marks the third such intervention by the apex court, with the previous two not resulting in any substantial change in river governance or pollution control or state of the river.
Continue reading “Yamuna Manthan June 2026: Any Hope from Apex Court’s 3rd River Cleanup Attempt?”
SANDRP 