Conference on Climate-Resilient Dams and Hydropower Infrastructure Integrating Environmental Sustainability in Planning and Development

Climate change is altering precipitation patterns, increasing the frequency of extreme weather events, and accelerating glacial melt — all of which have direct impacts on water availability, quality, and hydropower operations. These changes are no longer distant projections; they are unfolding in real-time.

In recent years, and particularly during the current monsoon season, the northern Indian states of Uttarakhand, Himachal Pradesh, Jammu & Kashmir and Punjab have faced devastating floods, landslides, and infrastructure failures triggered by torrential, intense and erratic rainfall, including cloud burst. These events are causing loss of lives, widespread displacement, destruction of homes, collapse of roads and bridges, and disruption of hydropower operations. Scientists attribute these disasters to a combination of climate change-induced weather extremes, deforestation, unregulated construction, and fragile mountain ecosystems under pressure.

These increasingly frequent and severe events underscore the urgent need to rethink traditional approaches to dams and hydropower infrastructure development. It is important to consider shifting toward climate-resilient and environmentally sustainable planning and design, especially in ecologically sensitive regions like the Himalayas.

To deliberate on these pressing issues and explore potential solutions, CBIP is planning to hold a conference on Climate-Resilient Dams and Hydropower Infrastructure: Integrating Environmental Sustainability in Planning and Development on 29-30 January, 2026, at SCOPE Convention Center, Lodhi Road, New Delhi