Methane gas emissions from Tehri Dam lethal, Scientists warn

Scientists of Wadia Institute of Himalayan Geology have purchased a 'Trace Gas Analyzer' that can track the Methane gas emission from Tehri Dam in real time. A detailed study is being carried out by scientists to understand the nature and extent of Greenhouse gas emissions (GHG) from the Tehri hydroelectric complex. GHG causes far-ranging environmental and health effects. They even cause climate change by trapping heat, and is a major factor for causing respiratory disease from smog and air pollution.

Dehradun (Uttarakhand):There are many hydro power projects in the state of Uttarakhand through which electricity is generated. Tehri Dam, one of the largest dams in Asia, located in the state is one such hydroelectric complex. Now, scientists from the Wadia Institute of Himalayan Geology have observed a large scale emission of Methane gas from the Tehri Dam for quite some time, but were not able to deduce as to how much methane gas is being released from the dam. Dr. Sameer K Tiwari, a scientist working in Wadia Institute speaking to ETV Bharat has said that the real time information about methane gas emissions from the dam can be tracked with ease, with the help of a 'Trace Gas Analyzer' machine, which will reveal the exact value of GHG emission.

The Methane gas that is coming out from the dam is a Greenhouse gas, which has far-ranging environmental and health effects. These gases even cause climate change by trapping heat, and is a major factor for causing respiratory disease from smog and air pollution. As a result, the temperature around Tehri Dam and surrounding areas is always 2°C above normal. Scientist Dr Sameer said that the machine worth about one crore, is now being used for the accurate study of greenhouse gases and that real-time 'Trace Gas Analyzer', will be used to monitor the methane gas emission from Tehri Dam as well as other dams. He also added that one such device has been purchased by the Forest Research Institute, Dehradun.

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How dangerous is Methane?

Methane is a Greenhouse gas (GHG), says Dr. Sameer, adding that methane gas which is emitted into the atmosphere due to unknown reasons, can harms the environment 20 to 60 times, more than carbon dioxide. That is, methane gas has the potential to amplify global warming 60 times more than carbon dioxide, and that at present, about 1500 times more methane gas is present in the form of hydrants, than natural gas, the scientist said.

What's the reason behind Methane gas emission from the dam?

Dr. Sameer, scientist of Wadia Institute says, "Methane gas is being released due to the decomposition of organic matter. In this scenario, whenever there is a situation like flood or disaster in an area, the water flow leads to huge amount of biomass being dumped into the dam. After a few months or years, that biomass begins to decompose, releasing methane gas. This gas from the dam is released in the form of small bubbles and escapes into the atmosphere. The bigger the dam, higher the emission of Methane gas."

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Research continues on the occurrence of cloudburst in the area:

A major cause of global warming is methane gas, which forms normal clouds. However. the main reason for the occurrence of cloudburst is still being researched upon, Dr Sameer says. "When a large amount of methane gas is released from the dam, there is also an increase in the temperature in the area and its surroundings, because methane gas reacts positively to solar radiation. When the temperature in a particular area rises, clouds are attracted, due to which heavy rain or cloudbursts may occur. A research on how the dam plays a factor in causing cloudburst is still on."

There are mainly 12 rivers in Uttarakhand, which pass through 11 districts of the state towards the plains. More than 32 dams and power projects are built on these major rivers, small and big, including Tehri Dam. The Tehri hydroelectric complex is the 5th deepest man-made dam in the world, which generates 2400 MW of electricity.

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