Pune, September 21, 2026: With several dams across the country ageing and reservoirs facing a gradual loss of storage capacity due to silt accumulation, the Central Water and Power Research Station (CWPRS) is focusing on the use of Artificial Intelligence (AI), Machine Learning (ML), drones, sensors, real-time monitoring and physical modelling to address emerging water-management challenges.
CWPRS Director Dr. M. Selva Balan said that maintaining the safety and capacity of ageing water infrastructure has become an important priority. He was interacting with a delegation of journalists from Chhattisgarh’s Bastar region during a five-day media visit to Maharashtra.
Dr. Balan explained that AI and machine learning can help analyse large volumes of data related to reservoirs, rainfall and water flow, while physical models continue to play an important role in understanding the behaviour of rivers, dams and floodwaters under different conditions.
He said modern technologies such as drones, sensors and satellite-based monitoring can help identify leakage, cracks, pressure changes, temperature variations and other unusual developments in dam structures at an early stage.
On reservoir siltation, Dr. Balan said the issue is not limited to removing silt. Scientific assessment is also required to determine its quality, transportation, possible reuse and environmental impact.
Discussing flood management, he said it may not always be possible to prevent floods completely, but early warning and preparedness can significantly help reduce their impact.
The combined use of weather radars, satellites, drones, computer models and real-time data can strengthen flood forecasting and provide authorities and residents with more time to respond.
He also highlighted the importance of physical modelling in assessing flood scenarios, including the possible impact of releasing water from multiple dams simultaneously.
Such studies can help identify vulnerable areas, understand water flow and improve evacuation and warning plans.
Dr. Balan further stressed that ageing dams require regular inspection, systematic monitoring and timely corrective measures. He said the Dam Safety Act, 2021 underlines the importance of systematic dam safety practices.
He also pointed out that rapid urbanisation, increased concretisation and construction along natural drainage channels are making urban flooding more complex. Addressing such challenges, he said, requires coordination among water resources, irrigation, environment, power, transport, urban local bodies, disaster management agencies and scientific institutions.
On the growing use of AI, Dr. Balan said the technology can identify patterns in large datasets and help assess possible future scenarios. However, he emphasised that critical AI-generated results should be reviewed and validated by experts before being used for important decisions.
The interaction gave journalists from Bastar an opportunity to understand how scientific research, physical modelling and emerging technologies are being used to address challenges related to dam safety, flood management, reservoir siltation and sustainable water-resource management.
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