National Dam Safety Authority (NDSA) organised a one-day community awareness programme on dam safety at the Nathpa Jhakri Hydro Power Project (NJHPP) on 19 May 2026 to strengthen public awareness, disaster preparedness and coordination among stakeholders. The event brought together more than 250 participants, including heads and residents of eight downstream villages, district administration representatives and officials of the Nathpa Jhakri Hydro Power Station.

Saurabh Agrawal, Member (Administration and Finance) of the NDSA, addressed the gathering and underlined the importance of preparedness, awareness and a coordinated response in ensuring dam safety, recalling his early service on INS Sutlej and his current role in governance of the Sutlej river system. The deputy commissioner of Kinnaur and the head of the project at NJHPP emphasised the need for community participation, institutional coordination and robust disaster preparedness measures.

The deputy director of the NDSA delivered a detailed presentation on the provisions of the Dam Safety Act, 2021 and highlighted the role of community awareness in strengthening governance and preparedness. Technical presentations by central agencies and dam owners covered themes such as early warning systems, decision support systems, use of satellite and GIS technologies in dam safety management, emergency response preparedness and weather forecasting. Participating organisations included the India Meteorological Department (IMD), National Disaster Response Force (NDRF), Geological Survey of India (GSI), Central Industrial Security Force (CISF), Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF), Gujarat State Dam Safety Organization (GSDSO) and Uttarakhand Jal Vidyut Nigam Limited (UJVNL).

The programme concluded with an awareness march by school children, a plantation drive and a nukkad natak to convey safety messages to the local community. NDSA said it will continue to organise such outreach initiatives across the country to strengthen dam safety culture and enhance preparedness among downstream communities.