DAMS SAFETY ORGANIZATION (DSO)

Pakistan, is bestowed with vast water resources and favourable dam sites. The first major dam (Warsak) was completed in 1960. This was followed by other dams; such as Baran Dam, Tanda Dam, but the real breakthrough in this field occurred upon the launching of Indus Basin Replacement Plan. This plan included construction of two large dams; namely, Mangla Dam and Tarbela Dam.

In view of the key role of these dams in the economy of the country and huge loss to the life and property associated with their failure, concern was felt for the proper arrangement to safeguard their safety during operation. Accordingly, in the light of practice of safety monitoring system followed by US Corps of Engineers and other developed world countries, Dams Monitoring Organization (DMO) was first established in WAPDA in August, 1973. Later on it was renamed as Dams Safety Organization (DSO)

Organization

The organization is presently located in Lahore, and is under the administrative control of General Manager (Technical Services).

Headed by a Chief Engineer, the Dams Safety Organization consists of three (3) Directorates each supervised by a Superintending Engineer/Director and staffed with Senior Engineers, Junior Engineers, Scientific Officers and other supporting services. Total staff strength of DSO is 62, consisting of engineers, scientific officers, geologists, geophysicists and other support staff. The organizational set up is given in Exhibit-I. DSO has its own comprehensive library containing more than 8000 international books/journals/reports etc. on dam engineering and other subjects pertaining to dams.

Functions

Most of the high dams in Pakistan lie above thickly populated areas and rich agricultural lands. Failure of any such dam could spell a disaster and irreparable loss of life and property. In order to minimize the chances of such failures, systematic monitoring of their performance has been considered imperative. Dams Safety Organization (DSO) is responsible for implementation of this programmed monitoring for completed dams with WAPDA namely; Mangla Dam, Tarbela Dam, Warsak Dam, Khanpur Dam, Hub Dam and Chashma Barrage.

The dam safety programme consists of Three Tiers. The First Tier monitoring is carried out by the operation and maintenance (O&M) staff of the project. This consists of observing the responses of the vast network of instruments embedded in the various structures. The data collected thus is compiled and analyzed to identify the areas of abnormal behavior and to devise measures for immediate action.

The Second Tier monitoring is carried out by DSO. It is done by keeping a constant watch on the flow of instrument response data of the project structures through Tier One, analyzing it using the latest interpretation techniques, locating the areas of abnormal behavior and suggesting short term and long term solutions. DSO also undertakes annual inspections to see the physical condition of the works and to make on site appraisal of performance data. At the end of the inspection, a comprehensive report is issued commenting upon the physical condition of the works, abnormalities observed, their likely causes and possible solutions. Its experts also visit projects, whenever any abnormal situation is reported, to study the phenomenon in situ and suggest corrective measures. In summary DSO's functions under Second Tier are as below:

• Carrying out annual inspection and issuance of inspection report, identifying physical inadequacies, erratic performances, possible causes and the corrective measures.
• Compilation, tabulation and interpretation of performance data of project structures and issue biannual safety evaluation reports.
• Paying site visits to study, diagnose and prescribe problems of emergent natures.

The Third Tier monitoring implies Periodic Inspections which are undertaken at an interval of 2 to 5 years, depending upon the hazard value and age of the dam. This is supposed to be carried out by a team whose members have no direct concern with O&M of the project and may be drawn from, within and outside WAPDA. Periodic Inspection reports are comprehensive documents reviewing the health of the structures, identifying the areas of concern and suggesting short term and long term corrective measures.

Achievements

DSO has so far carried out 168 Annual Inspections and arranged 34 Periodic/ Baseline Inspections of various WAPDA projects. DSO also carries out performance monitoring and safety inspections for federal and provincial dams of the country, whenever asked for by any agency. Twenty (20) small dams of Punjab Government were inspected and advice rendered. Simly Dam of Capital Development Authority is being regularly monitored and inspected by DSO. Some near completion projects like Three High Head project, Satpara Dam, Gomal Zam etc have also been inspected and reports issued.

Detailed report for Baseline Inspection of Ghazi Hydropower Project has been issued.

4th Periodic Inspection of Simly Dam Project was carried out form 10th to 15th June 2012 by independent experts selected from reputed Consulting firms. Principal findings and recommendations have been issued and transmitted to Project Authority for implementation. Detailed report of the inspection is awaited.

Annual inspection reports for year 2011-12 to Tarbela Dam (Low & High Level), Chashma Barrage, Warsak, Hub, Mirani Dams and Ghazi Barotha have been issued.

Schedule of Dams Safety Inspections for 2012

The Schedule to carry out safety inspection for 2012 is as under: