(Feature Image: The damaged Chungthang dam on Teesta river in North Sikkim. Source: The Telegraph)
This annual overview compiles the incidents of accidents and disasters that have caused significant damages to the hydro power and dam projects and around them in India during 2023. The report also highlights the incidents of violations of environmental norms at some under construction project sites which could result in manmade disaster in future.
Sikkim Glacial Lake Flood destroys Teesta-3 Dam A Glacial Lake Outburst Flood (GLOF) that originated at South Lhonak Glacial Lake at around 22.40 hours on Oct 3, 2023, washed away the 60 m high dam of Sikkim’s biggest hydropower project, the 1200 MW Teesta 3 HEP. The flood has brought unprecedented disaster all along the river in Sikkim and further downstream in W Bengal and then Bangladesh. Central Water Commission (CWC) reported early in the morning of Oct 4 that there was cloud burst at the site of the lake burst, the cloud burst could have played the role in triggering the lake burst. But there is no evidence of such rainfall.
Teesta V Damaged: The control room, dam spillway gates and power house of the Teesta V dam near Dikchu has been severely damaged. The spillway gates were not fully opened even though the dam received the flood waters over two hours after the first information of floods.
Teesta VI: Debris and damage The under construction Teesta 6 project, now under NHPC, was filled with debris and apparently damaged.
Other Hydro projects Dikchu HEP, a small HEP upstream of Chungthang were also badly damaged. The Teesta Low Dam III of NHPC was so badly silted up that the power generation has not started over two months after the disaster. There was also huge damage to the National Highway linking Sikkim and North Bengal and at least 14 bridges in addition to houses and large part of other buildings. https://sandrp.in/2023/10/04/glacial-lake-flood-destroys-teesta-3-dam-in-sikkim-brings-wide-spread-destruction/ (04 Oct. 2023)
Authorities lost time in acting on rising Teesta: NDSA A preliminary report of the National Dam Safety Authority (NDSA) on the “flash flood in Teesta basin” in Sikkim has said dam authorities lost crucial time in taking preparatory action, such as opening spillway gates and reducing water in the reservoir, after they were informed by the Indo Tibetan Border Police (ITBP) that water level in the river was rising.
– The NDSA has said in its preliminary report that between the period the ITBP informed the dam authorities that water in the Teesta river was rising and the deluge reached Chungthang town, the dam authorities had enough time to take measures such as emptying or at least reducing water in the dam’s reservoir.
– “The NDSA had said in its report that the dam authorities, instead of acting on the ITBP’s communication, lost crucial time in confirming the news. By the time the water actually reached Chungthang dam, it was too late to do anything. A team of dam staff had at the last moment gone to open the gates but was swept away,” one of the central government sources said.
– The NDSA has shared the preliminary report with the Union Jal Shakti ministry, the Sikkim government, State Dam Safety Organisations of Sikkim and West Bengal, and the Union power ministry in mid-October. A final report will be submitted in three months’ time. https://theprint.in/india/sikkim-authorities-lost-time-in-acting-on-rising-teesta-news-national-dam-safety-authority-report/1857028/ (24 Nov. 2023)
NHPC suffered loss of Rs 233.56cr at Teesta VI NHPC on Oct 18 said it suffered an expected loss of Rs 233.56 crore due to flash floods in its Teesta-VI hydro power project in Sikkim. “Teesta-VI Hydro Electric Project, Sikkim (500 MW) being executed by Lanco Teesta Hydro Power Ltd, a wholly-owned subsidiary of NHPC Ltd, which was affected due to flash flood in Teesta Basin on October 4, 2023,” the company said in a regulatory filing. The company further said that all assets/ works of Teesta-VI HE project are insured under the Construction All Risk (CAR) Policy, subject to excess clause and loss limit. It is anticipated that there will be a time delay of at least six months and consequent cost-overrun of the project. https://www.business-standard.com/companies/news/nhpc-suffered-expected-loss-of-rs-233-56-cr-due-to-flash-floods-in-sikkim-123101800596_1.html (18 Oct. 2023)
NHPC’s operational, under construction hydro projects affected by floods in Himachal and Sikkim: -In a recent analyst call held after the company declared its Q2 results, RP Goyal, director (finance), NHPC, gave an update on the hydel projects affected by the flash floods which occurred in north Sikkim in the intervening night of October 3 and 4. “Our power stations in the Teesta basin were unfortunately hit by unprecedented flash floods in north Sikkim. Our 510 MW Teesta V power station and 500 MW Teesta VI hydropower project, which is under construction, have suffered damages. Teesta Low Dam (TLDP) III and TLDP IV power stations have also been affected, leading to forced outages. TLDP IV has been made operational, and TLDP III is likely to be restored very shortly,” he said. However, restoration of the under-construction Teesta V power station is likely to take a year. https://www.moneycontrol.com/news/business/budget/moody-monsoons-erratic-rains-pulled-down-hydropower-generation-by-8-in-h1fy24-nhpc-11814781.html (27 Nov. 2023)
Lessons to learn Himanshu Thakkar of SANDRP, states, “The Teesta V dam, which is further downstream, was also seriously damaged, but not washed away, partly because it’s a concrete dam.” Thakkar adds, “However, even the gates of this dam, where the floods reached about an hour after Teesta III was washed away, could not be fully opened, showing how pathetic our disaster communication and preparedness is.” This is inexcusable. https://sundayguardianlive.com/investigation/sikkim-lessons-to-learn-from-the-teesta-flood-crisis (21 Oct. 2023)
Dam Site ‘Completely Devastated’ Himanshu Thakkar, coordinator of the SANDRP said that dams act as a force multiplier in times of disaster and that this was observed during the 2013 Uttarakhand floods also. The quantum of destruction increases when there is a dam and it is people at the sites of these dams who lose their lives, and the highest economic loss occurs in the areas where the disaster occurs, Thakkar said. “The area of the South Lhonak Lake has been increasing since the 1960s and was a known source of a GLOF,” Thakkar said.
– However, the gates of the dam were still not operated in time. Similarly, the existence of an Early Warning System would have decreased the impacts of the GLOF and the dam may even have been saved, and the downstream destruction averted, Thakkar commented.
– Decommissioning a dam should also be included as part of a dam’s life cycle and “we the people should fight for this – otherwise people pay the price for it, as does the environment”, Thakkar said. However, this does not figure in the Dam Safety Act at all and the Central Water Commission, which is responsible for dam safety, acts more as a “lobby for dams”, he alleged during the press conference. https://thewire.in/environment/dam-site-completely-devastated-loss-assessment-sikkim-disaster-time (13 Oct. 2023)
GLOF warnings ignored Himanshu Thakkar, coordinator of the SANDRP, an advocacy group, said that large hydro projects were “unfit” for the fragile Himalayan region and were financially unviable, as reporting has borne out. “That large hydro projects are becoming economically unviable can be seen from the trend that private players are pulling out of large hydro projects and public sector units are taking them over,” said Thakkar. “In Sikkim, both Teesta Stage III and Stage VI were to be developed by private players but public sector units subsequently took them over to rescue the projects.”
– “Government agencies did not learn from the 2021 Chamoli disaster in Uttarakhand,” said Thakkar. “The NDMA is speaking of installing an early warning system only after the disaster has happened. Teesta Stage III should not have been allowed without adequate spillway capacity, proper dam safety mechanism and an early warning system put in place.” If the dam was unviable, it should never have been built in the first place, he said. https://article-14.com/post/disaster-on-the-teesta-ignoring-warnings-of-melting-glacier-sikkim-hoped-large-dams-would-earn-money–6531e7e374f75 (20 Oct. 2023)
Need for accountability in development finance The lack of accountability and the deliberate indifference to the social and environmental impact of these massive hydroelectric projects emphasize the insensitivity of FIs that remain in the shadows in the aftermath of such disasters involving mega infrastructure projects. Amitanshu Verma, Nancy Pathak; CFA). https://www.deccanherald.com/opinion/teesta-disaster-and-the-need-for-accountability-in-development-finance-2747296 (30 Oct. 2023) Participating in a webinar on ‘Dams, Development and the Teesta Floods’, organised by the advocacy group Centre for Financial Accountability in Delhi, experts and activists have asserted that the recent Sikkim floods were actually a “disaster foretold.” https://www.counterview.net/2023/10/sikkim-floods-teesta-was-dammed-beyond.html (14 Oct 2023) Save the Hills photo blog shows the destruction of Sikkim GLOF at NHPC facilities at Teesta V & VI projects. https://savethehills.blogspot.com/2023/12/photographic-record-of-04oct2023-on.html (1 Dec 2023)
Landslide near NHPC’s Teesta V dam in March 2023 This disaster could have taken heavy toll of human lives. The Sikkim govt is expected to conduct independent inquiry and put the report in public domain soon. Putting the investigation reports promptly in public domain is becoming quite rare in several such disasters involving hydro power projects in Himalayan states. https://sandrp.in/2023/04/08/sikkim-landslide-near-nhpcs-teesta-v-dam-in-march-2023/ (8 Apr ~ 2023)
Arunachal Pradesh Massive Landslide AGAIN damages Lower Subansiri HEP in Oct 2023 On Oct 27 2023, there was Massive landslide once again at the Lower Subansiri Hydropower project, blocking the only open Diversion tunnel, leading to hurriedly diverting the water through incomplete spillway gates. This is clearly in violation of the directions of CEA, the regulator, that the water should not flow through spillway gates till all the spillway gates are installed and tested, which has clearly NOT happened. We hope, learning from massive dam disasters recently, CEA, CWC, National Dam Safety Committee and NDMA and also state governments will not allow such cutting of corners, affecting dam safety.
It also led to completely drying up of the Subansiri River in the downstream. This has huge impact on the aquatic biodiversity and also livelihoods. Hope NHPC will be made to compensate the affected people and penalised for not following earlier CEA directions due to NHPC’s negligence. https://sandrp.in/2023/10/28/massive-landslide-again-damages-lower-subansiri-hydro-project-in-oct-2023/ (28 Oct. 2023)
Excellent report by Jay Mazumdar in Indian Express on Lower Subansiri Hydro landslide incident. https://indianexpress.com/article/explained/how-ignored-landslide-warning-led-to-subansiri-river-running-dry-explained-9018295/ (08 Nov. 2023) Interestingly, this is the second landslide at the same location. A similar landslide impacted the project in March. https://www.hindustantimes.com/india-news/landslide-damages-part-of-subansiri-hydroelectric-project-101698432509768.html (28 Oct. 2023) Dave Petley writes on this landslide incident. https://eos.org/thelandslideblog/subansiri-1 (30 Oct. 2023)
A disaster in the making The Lower Subansiri HEP has recently highlighted the potential environmental consequences it may bring to the region. As geologists had long warned, the hills surrounding the project site are showing signs of strain under the immense weight of the colossal dam. Locals now fear that the river’s course may be altered as it erodes the hills to which the dam is anchored. Adding to their apprehension, numerous landslides on the dam site have been interpreted as harbingers of a looming disaster. https://www.assamtimes.org/node/23176 (30 Oct. 2023).
4 workers injured as terrace collapses Days after the main diversion tunnel reopened after a massive landslide at the Lower Subansiri HEP, reports of yet another mishap emerged on Friday (Oct. 6). According to sources, the terrace of the hydro electric project’s No. 8 Horse Race Tunnel collapsed while work was underway. The incident had occurred on September 26, reports said.
Allegations have been leveled against the NHPC authorities for trying to cover-up the issue. Meanwhile, further sources claimed that at least four labourers were injured in the incident. Notably, water to the power house of the project is supplied through the Horse Race Tunnel from the reserve. The incident which occurred at the tunnel has led to a very intense situation at the project. https://www.pratidintime.com/latest-assam-news-breaking-news-assam/4-labourers-injured-as-terrace-collapses-at-nhpcs-lower-subansiri (06 Oct. 2023)
Diversion tunnel reopens after massive landslide A massive landslide has been reported at the Lower Subansiri HEP of NHPC. According to sources, the landslide occurred at hills on the right side of the dam. It is to be noted that on completion of construction of the main dam, the diversion tunnels were closed. But as a result of the massive landslide, the main diversion tunnel was reopened once again. There is a fear psychosis that in the future, landslides may occur again at the stretch of the hill where the tunnel is situated leading to gradual subsidence of the land. https://www.pratidintime.com/latest-assam-news-breaking-news-assam/diversion-tunnel-at-nhpcs-lower-subansiri-reopens-after-massive-landslide (22 Sep 2023)
Around June 15, 2023, there was a breach in guard wall of the under construction Lower Subansiri HEP, leading to water entering the power house. As per reports the upstream downstream road from the project may have been damaged.. https://www.timesnownews.com/videos/mirror-now/society/breaking-news-heavy-rainfall-damages-temporary-wall-in-lower-subansiri-hydro-electric-project-video-100994450 (14 Jun 2023)
April 2023: Another Landslide The site of Lower Subansiri HEP has witnessed another massive landslide on April 3, 2022. As per North East India 24 report, the landslide triggered by rainfall has caused damage in the main part of the dam and the workers had to be evacuated to a safe place.
No human casualty has been reported from the incident. While the controversial project site has been facing repeated disasters, the indifferent NHPC continues to underplay the safety concerns and ignore the frequent warnings. https://sandrp.in/2023/04/08/april-2023-another-landslide-at-lower-subansiri-hep/ (08 April 2023)
Recurring mishaps Over the past 3 years, nine mishaps were reported from the construction site of the Subansiri project at Gerukamukh, which occurred during the monsoon and pre-monsoon months, including landslides, damage to diversion tunnels, breaches in the coffer dyke, and the collapse of a guard wall to protect the powerhouse. Last March, three people were killed in separate incidents, which provoked a group of workers to burn the site office.
Three months later, a worker lost his life when a steel rib fell on him from a headrace tunnel. These episodes prompted the CEA to dispatch a team to the site. Their report raised disturbing questions on safeguards in the project. It instructed NHPC to improve construction safety measures and re-evaluate the impact of river diversion on the slope stability of the surrounding mountains. https://www.moneycontrol.com/news/business/companies/nhpc-allays-fears-over-indias-largest-hydroelectric-project-10220921.html (09 March 2023) The article gives a full list of landslides that has hit the project since the work started in 2005. https://indianexpress.com/article/india/subansiri-landslides-cea-sought-safety-audits-nhpc-said-not-needed-8541053/ (06 April 2023) Time lapse animation of project site from 2009-2022 showing slope failures and landslides. https://www.planet.com/stories/lower-subansiri-hep-2009-2022-Ui5SFpSVR (14 Oct. 2022)
Delay in construction The prolongation of the project and scouring below the structures which are constructed for temporary purposes are the reason behind the damage caused to Lower Subansiri Hydropower Project, said an official. “Damages in these areas are due to prolongation of the project and scouring below the structures which are constructed for a temporary purpose,” said CEA member (hydro) MAKP Singh. https://nenow.in/top-news/arunachal-delay-in-construction-hits-nhpcs-lower-subansiri-hydropower-project.html (09 April 2023) Subansiri Lower HEP further delayed: Now first unit to be commissioned only in Jan 2024. https://energy.economictimes.indiatimes.com/news/renewable/first-250mw-unit-of-nhpcs-subansiri-lower-project-to-be-operational-by-jan-official/100664012 (01 June 2023) Interesting interview by NHPC CMD on Lower Subansiri HEP: He says the commissioning schedule of the project has now been further delayed to Dec 2024. The cost is Rs 21247 Cr at Dec 2022 price line, which means it will be much higher before the project is commissioned. https://www.thehindubusinessline.com/companies/subansiri-hydro-powers-success-critical-for-dibang-project-nhpc-cmd/article67052354.ece (07 July 2023)
Hydel stations damaged in cloudburst A sudden cloudburst in Lhallung village near here in Shi-Yomi district in the wee hours of Sep 16 reportedly triggered a devastating flood, causing significant damages. At least two hydel stations have been severely affected, disrupting the electricity supply to Mechukha township and its adjoining areas. The floodwater also ravaged agricultural fields, standing crops, houses, water supply, and livestock. The hydel stations located in Lhallung village serve as the lifeline of electricity supply to Mechukha and its adjoining areas. https://arunachaltimes.in/index.php/2023/09/17/hydel-stations-crops-houses-damaged-in-cloudburst/ (17 Sept. 2023)
Himachal Pradesh Parbati-II Leakage disaster in Nov 2023 The 800 MW project is being developed by NHPC Ltd at Siund in the Sainj valley of Kullu district of HP. The project had faced several serious disasters and problems including repeated leakages, frequent landslides, tunnel boring machine getting stuck for year and fire incidents affecting the project for the past 23 years since the construction started. The project completion has already been delayed by over 15 years. Initially, the project was to be completed by 2009 but the latest deadline has been extended to Sep 2024. Recently NHPC had claimed that it had successfully completed the construction of 32 km long head race tunnel (HRT) of the project. However, this fresh incident has reignited fears & threats of untoward disaster among local people in Sainj valley. https://sandrp.in/2023/11/20/parbati-ii-leakage-disaster-in-himachal-pradesh-in-nov-2023/ (20 Nov 2023)
Parbati II HEP commissioning delayed The recent heavy rains and floods in Himachal have significantly impacted the hydropower plant’s supporting infrastructure, including access routes and approaches, resulting in additional delays. “We had originally intended to commission two units in this financial year (FY24). However, the rains and floods in Himachal Pradesh have been a setback, particularly for this project. As a result, these two units will now be commissioned in early FY25,” said Rajeev Kumar Vishnoi, the Chairperson and Managing Director of NHPC Ltd during a recent interaction with investors.
Vishnoi also mentioned that repairing the damages would lead to some cost escalation for the project. However, he did not provide a specific estimate of the additional costs. https://www.moneycontrol.com/news/business/himachal-floods-delayed-parbati-ii-hydropower-project-commissioning-to-fy25-11296001.html (01 Sept. 2023)
Larji Hydro Project damaged In an unprecedented development, the CM Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu has sent a Rs 658-crore damage report to the Union Road Transport and Highways Minister Nitin Gadkari seeking from National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) compensation for the devastation caused at the 126-MW Larji hydel project allegedly due to the construction of a double-decker four-lane road.
Confirming the severe damage to the Larji Hydro Project, the Union Minister for Power and New & Renewable energy Shri R K Singh, in response to a starred question said in Lok Sabha, “Larji HEP is likely to be fully operationalized by Jan 2024.” The Ministry estimated loss of power generation at Larji project of approximately Rs 24000/-/day. That seems to be gross underestimate.
The Larji project on the Beas river at Thalot in the Mandi district of Himachal Pradesh had suffered extensive damage after silt entered inside the project following the torrential rain that lashed the state from July 9-11. The report says that the generation at the Larji project has stopped and is unlikely to restart till Dec 2023, the state has suffered huge losses. https://sandrp.in/2023/08/14/himachal-demands-rs-658-cr-from-nhai-for-damage-to-large-hydro-project/ (14 Aug. 2023) This report mentions about further damage to Larji HEP, specifically its pen-stoke due to a landslide. It also says that Parbati 3 among a number of other projects have not yet started generating. https://www.tribuneindia.com/news/himachal/bhel-roped-in-for-larji-power-plant-restoration-539854 (31 Aug. 2023)
Aug. 2023: Hydro Projects damaged in flashfloods In August 2023, two more hydro-electric power (HEP) projects have faced cloud burst induced flash flood destruction in Himachal Pradesh. The first one is Kuther HEP in Chamba district and the second one is Pittkari HEP in Mandi district. Both HEPs are so called Run of the Rivers (RoR) projects and have benefited from CDM funds. Neither the developers nor the state government has so far put any official report detailing the scale of impact on these hydro projects. https://sandrp.in/2023/09/13/more-himachal-pradesh-hydro-projects-damaged-in-flashfloods-in-aug-2023/ (13 Sept. 2023)
Additionally, while the project area of 5 Mw Brahmaganga HEP in Kullu faced flashflood threats on July 25, 2023; the complex of 110 Mw Shanan HEP in Mandi district was flooded with muck due to a ‘cloudburst’ incident on July 20, 2023. https://sandrp.in/2023/11/09/himachal-pradesh-2023-how-we-are-turning-cloudbursts-into-deadly-disasters/ (09 Nov. 2023)
June 2023: Cloud Bursts Damage 2 Hydro Projects Himachal Pradesh has witnessed multiple incidents of ‘cloud bursts’ leading to destruction in Solan, Shimla, Hamirpur and Kullu between June 24-25. The extreme rainfall and resultant flash flood spells have caused widespread destruction to farms, cowsheds, local roads, bridges, vehicles and other public infrastructural in these districts.
There are reports about damages to at least two hydro power projects. The first project is 14 Mw GreenKo HEP Project on Sechi khad in Sumez village under Sarpara panchayat in Rampur tehsil of Shimla district. Sechi khad is a perennial tributary of Sutlej River. The project appears to be operational for about a decade. https://sandrp.in/2023/06/27/himachal-pradesh-25-june-2023-cloud-bursts-damage-2-hydro-projects/ (27 June 2023)
Cracks in houses in Bajoli-Holi HEP tunnel area A staircase ends mid-air, the ground below has slipped away. A pillar has unmoored itself from the balcony above. This isn’t a scene from Joshimath but Jharauta, a village about 400km from Shimla in Chamba district. Unlike Joshimath, where 25,000 lives are at stake, Jharauta has remained out of the news because it is tiny – only about 200 people live here. But as in Joshimath, the needle of suspicion in Jharauta also points to a hydropower project.
– The village lies below the 15km-long and 5.6m-wide tunnel of the 180Mw Bajoli-Holi hydro project. Residents say they first noticed cracks on the walls of their houses in the winter of 2021, right after a big leakage in the tunnel. At least six houses collapsed and many others became unsafe to live in, so the people shifted to temporary shelters and even spent nights in tents.
– A year on, seepage from the tunnel continues and fissures have appeared on the village land. “The fissures are hardly 100m from the village. The entire village is sinking and it might get worse during the monsoon,” says Anoop Kumar, a resident. Chamba Jharauta. https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india/in-chamba-a-village-cracks-under-shadow-of-another-hydro-tunnel/articleshow/96952802.cms (13 Jan. 2023)
Leaking tunnel puts lives of 200 tribals in danger The year-old leakage from the Bajoli-Holi hydroelectric project’s headrace tunnel has put a village at risk in the Bharmour tribal region of Chamba district. Since Dec, deep cracks have appeared on the land within 100 metres of Jharauta as a forewarning of sinkhole or landslide. The village is located below the 15-km-long and 5.6-m-wide tunnel and in its alignment, the project belongs to GMR Group.
On Dec 19, 2021, tunnel testing had triggered seepage, landslides, and mudslides in the village. Tunnel testing hazards are common at dam sites, but this testing cracked the village walls. The protests at the village forced the state govt to send its geologist Sarit Chander to the site but a proper survey could not begin. https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/shimla/leaking-tunnel-puts-lives-of-200-tribals-in-danger-in-himachal-pradesh/articleshow/96754548.cms (5 Jan 2023)
The Chamba district administration asked the state geologist to study and submit a report. https://www.tribuneindia.com/news/himachal/threat-to-houses-geologist-to-study-leakage-in-chamba-project-tunnel-468532 (08 Jan. 2023) https://bit.ly/3GrPFIQ (27 Dec. 2022) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Rom_xw0ROv4 (03 Jan. 2023)
Bharmour area cut off after bridge collapse A 33-m-long Luna bridge on the NH 154A collapsed due to a landslide in Bharmour subdivision on Feb 4. The mountainous terrain of Bharmour has been cut off from Chamba, the district headquarters.
The DC said this was the second case of a bridge collapse in Bharmour tribal subdivision in the last two days. Earlier, the bridge built on the Choli rivulet on the Chamba-Holi road was damaged. The construction work of this bridge was going on in full swing. He instructed the JSW manager to speed up the construction work of Choli bridge. https://www.tribuneindia.com/news/himachal/bharmour-area-cut-off-after-bridge-collapse-477016 (06 Feb. 2023)
The bridge on Choli river on Chamba-Holi road collapsed due to over load dumpers involved in construction of Kuther HEP by JSW: This is the second such incident within three days in the Bharmour region. Last Friday (Feb. 03), one person was killed after a valley bridge collapsed at Choli near Holi town. The bridge had collapsed when overloaded dumper trucks were passing through it. https://www.hindustantimes.com/cities/chandigarh-news/bharmour-cut-off-after-highway-bridge-collapses-due-to-landslide-101675622882907.html (06 Feb. 2023) https://www.amarujala.com/shimla/cement-bridge-in-chamba-luna-was-broken-due-to-falling-rocks-29-panchayats-lost-contact-with-bharmour-2023-02-05 (05 Feb. 2023) https://www.tribuneindia.com/news/himachal/2-injured-in-bridge-collapse-476446 (5 Feb 2023)
Finding JSW and its sub-contractor company Bhoomi responsible for the collapse of Choli bridge; PWD lodged an FIR against them and also issued a letter to the company to compensate Rs 2 crore for the damage. PWD Bharmour Executive Engineer Sanjeev Mahajan said that against the load bearing capacity of 20 tonnes, the company had allowed two trucks weighing around 70 tonnes to pass through the bridge resulting in the collapse. https://www.bhaskar.com/local/himachal/chamba/news/chamba-bharmour-news-fir-on-jsw-and-bhoomi-company-pwd-choli-bridge-sanjeev-mahajan-130890650.html (Feb. 2023)
Jammed gates of Malana dam yet to be fixed The flood gates of 100-mw Malana-II dam had got jammed due to large amounts of silt and boulders following a flash flood in the Malana rivulet on Jul 24. As the management was unable to open the gates, the dam started overflowing, triggering fear, panic downstream & prompting Kullu admin to issue an alert.
Sources said that the management has been trying to move hydraulic machinery for removing silt without success as an approach road to the dam site was also washed away. The electricity generation at the Malana-II also remains suspended since July 24. “The dam management is now waiting for the water level in the Malana rivulet to go down before starting repair work. The work on rebuilding the approach road to the dam is also presently on. Thankfully, there was no flash flood in Malana rivulet after July, otherwise anything could have happened,” said a source. https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/shimla/month-later-jammed-gates-of-malana-dam-yet-to-be-fixed/articleshow/103564953.cms (11 Sept. 2023) The NDRF and BBMB officials having failed to open the jammed two gates of the Malana 2 hydropower project of HP since July 24, now technicians from Delhi Have been called. https://www.tribuneindia.com/news/himachal/technicians-from-delhi-called-to-open-kullu-dam-floodgates-531533 (3 August 2023)
Dominant Narratives of Himalayan Dam Building This article examines the conflict around hydropower development in Himachal to understand the trajectory of State policy, dominant narratives and responses of affected communities. Tracing the history of such contestation in the 180 MW Bajoli Holi hydropower project in Chamba’s tribal belt Bharmour, it illustrates the complicity of project proponents, regulatory institutions, political actors, scientists and the judiciary in transferring the project’s risks to local inhabitants and the environment. The burden of building fresh evidence, staking claims and posing counter-narratives lies unfairly with the dispossessed as they struggle for safety and survival. (Manshi Asher, Vivek Negi, HIMDHARA) https://repository.nls.ac.in/nlsj/vol17/iss1/1/ (06 Dec. 2023)
This document by HIMDHARA is an updated compilation of primary evidences of the impacts of disturbances triggered by construction of tunnels and other underground components for hydropower projects. The evidences mostly comprise of documentation from Kinnaur, Kullu and Chamba districts, falling in the Satluj, Beas and Ravi basins respectively, carried out from 2011 onwards upto 2018. http://www.himdhara.org/wp-content/uploads/2019/06/The-Hidden-Cost-of-Hydropower_2019.pdf (June 2019)
Urni landslide: a recurring slope failure Dave Petley on Kinnaur landslide, quotes SANDRP: On Monday 19 December 2022 a significant slope failure occurred at the Urni Landslide in Kinnaur, Himachal Pradesh in northern India on the banks of Sutlej River. This event was notable for the fact that it was caught on camera by users of National Highway 5, which passes close to the landslide site. Of interest at this site is the ongoing works to construct the Karcham Wangtoo Hydro Power Project – some elements of this are visible in the image above. It has long been asserted that these works have led to an increase in the occurrence of landslides in this area. For example, the SANDRP has an article from 2014 documenting some of the impacts. Construction started in 2005.
– Of course, of immediate concern is the potential risk to the houses upslope of the Urni landslide. In October 2022 the crown of the landslide was perilously close to the houses. A major failure could exacerbate this situation. https://blogs.agu.org/landslideblog/2022/12/21/urni-landslide-1/ (21 Dec. 2022)
Uttarakhand NTPC tunnel among reasons for land subsidence: Govt panel A ground survey by a committee of four experts from state-run Sri Dev Suman University has revealed that Joshimath has cracks up to “2 feet wide and half-a-km long”. This is the first time that government officials have publicly disclosed the dimensions of the cracks, thereby revealing the vulnerability of the area. The committee was formed by the university to “assess the ground situation”, and the experts had studied the fissures between January 25 and 28.
Sharing some of its findings, the committee members said that “natural and anthropogenic pressure, including NTPC’s tunnel boring machine, led to a large amount of water leakage”. NTPC has strongly refuted its role in the crisis. The panel further said that this year’s monsoon rainfall would play a crucial role in determining the future of Joshimath. https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/dehradun/joshimath-cracks-are-up-to-half-km-long-2-feet-wide-survey/articleshow/98132447.cms (22 Feb. 2023) https://janaagaj.in/puncture-in-ntpcs-tapovan-vishnugad-project-became-major-cause-of-joshimath-landslide/ (21 Feb. 2023)
Systemic failures The 520 MW Tapovan Vishnugad Hydropower project of NTPC has remained controversial since 2009 as it is again now in January 2023. This time it is in the dock over the sinking of Joshimath town in Chamoli dist of Uttarakhand. https://sandrp.in/2023/02/11/systemic-failures-at-the-root-of-joshimath-disaster/ (11 Feb. 2023) Cover story in Front Line titled Tapovan Vishnugad: NTPC project at the heart of Joshimath crisis by Himanshu Thakkar. https://frontline.thehindu.com/environment/tapovan-vishnugad-hydropower-plant-ntpc-project-at-the-heart-of-joshimath-crisis/article66386447.ece (26 Jan 2023)
Hydro project’s blasting sparks fear Construction related to the 444 MW Vishnugad-Pipalkoti hydropower plant in Chamoli has raised apprehensions among five families of Haat gram sabha. Villagers fear that blasting work might render the entire area more fragile in the wake of persistent rain. The historical significance of Haat can be traced back to Adi Shankaracharya, who is believed to have established the Laxmi Narayan temple here over a millennium ago.
– “The continuous rain has already adversely affected our farms and cowsheds, yet there’s no sign of blasting being stopped. It occurred on August 14 and August 16. Even now, internal blasting is ongoing. This is making the entire landscape more fragile,” said Bhavani Devi, a resident of Harsari Tok, Haat gram sabha.
– THDC officials agreed that blasting is going on, claiming, “blasting is essential to the hydropower project”. https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/dehradun/hydro-projects-blasting-sparks-fear-amid-heavy-rain/articleshow/102999456.cms (24 August 2023)
Hydel plant muck being dumped in Alaknanda Aggrieved by dumping of muck directly into river Alaknanda — a major tributary of Ganga river — in the ongoing 444 MW Vishnugad-Pipalkoti project of THDC, residents of Chhoti Kashi (Haat gram sabha) have sought action against the hydel power company and Chamoli district administration and shot videos alleging “flouting of norms”. “On the night of September 16, truckloads of muck that was probably excavated from the tunnel was directly dumped into the Alaknanda. It seems the company does not have any dumping yard, and they are violating rules with the help of administration. After taking out several trucks of muck from the tunnel site, they then dumped into the Alaknanda and polluted the Ganga,” Narendra Pokhriyal, a resident of Haat gram sabha, said in the video that he claimed to have shot on Sep 17. https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/dehradun/hydel-plant-muck-being-dumped-in-ganga-tributary/articleshow/103771896.cms (19 Sept. 2023) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=e0U91-Jn8kY (24 Sept. 2023)
Durgapur, a village in Chamoli, is also cracking. A tunnel is being dug near this village for the 444 MW Vishnugad-Pipalkoti project. Cracks were also seen in most of the houses here. Most of the population of the village belongs to the scheduled community and they are being displaced again and again. Cracks are increasing in the house of Sulochana Devi of Durgapur. She says, “For the tunnel, blasting takes place here two to three times a day and then the houses shake. We had to come here after the 2013 disaster. Now, where will we go after being displaced again?” https://hindi.newslaundry.com/2023/01/23/uttarakhand-joshimath-tehri-dam-crisis-houses-ntpc-project (23 Jan. 2023) Video report on how in open violation of norms THDC and HCC have been dumping muck generated from Barrage site of under construction Vishnugad Pipalkoti hydro power project into Alaknanda River. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dOnphjxL6A4 (24 August 2023)
Blasting for hydro project tunnel caused cracks in homes Cracks of 0.1 mm to 2 mm have been found in about 50 houses in Sirsolipatti-Bankot village in Pithoragarh district. This has been noticed through a survey by geologists. The cause of the cracks has been ascribed to the explosion in the under-construction tunnel of the Khutani Hydro Project. The Khutani Power Project company is constructing a 21 MW hydro power house in Saryu river in which two tunnels are being built. People of Sirsoli Patti village have been complaining for a year about cracks appearing in their houses and other places due to blast in the under-construction tunnel. They have staged protest too. https://www.pioneeredge.in/cracks-found-in-50-houses-in-pithoragarh-district/ (26 April 2023) https://www.amarujala.com/dehradun/uttarakhand-news-panic-in-pithoragarh-cracks-in-50-houses-of-sirsolipatti-village-due-to-explosion-in-tunnel-2023-04-25 (25 April 2023)
Vyasi Hydro: Village Drowned; River Dried but little power generation As the adverse impacts and failures of Vyasi HEP have come in open, the UJVNL and contractors’ lobby have started promoting Lakhwar dam as a panacea for all the shortcomings of the Vyasi HEP. Recently the L&T company is learnt to have secured Rs. 3200 crore tenders for civil construction work of the Lakhwar dam project and has started building shelters for workforce there. The work on the dam is reportedly to begin after the south west monsoon 2023. https://sandrp.in/2023/06/26/vyasi-hydro-villages-drowned-river-dried-but-little-power-generation/ (26 June 2023) Vyasi HEP is latest example of how the hydro power projects being pushed in the name of clean and green energy sources are failing on all fronts and proving a costly affair for the river, people and the nation. https://sandrp.in/2023/06/17/photo-blog-yamuna-river-a-year-after-vyasi-hep/ (17 June 2023)
Cloudbursts in SW Monsoon 2023 The ‘cloudburst’ induced floods have also affected at least 2 hydro power projects including the under construction Vishnugad Pipalkoti and the operational Birahiganga HEP, however adequate information is not available about the scale of impact. Power house of Birahi hydro project is flooded. TBM site of Vishnugad Pipalkoti hydro project & CISF camp invaded with debris. https://sandrp.in/2023/10/18/uttarakhand-cloudbursts-in-sw-monsoon-2023/ (18 Oct. 2023) Two workers of Hydro Power Limited plant on Birahi Ganga trapped in a vehicle were rescued by police after the bridge and approach road near Gaadi village were washed away in flash floods on Aug. 14, 2023.https://newsheight.com/big-breaking-two-workers-in-hydro-power-limited-plant-chamoli-police-rescued-by-video/ (14 August 2023)
Water leak from Maneri Bhali 2 HEP tunnel spooks villages Over 1 cumec of water is leaking from 16 km long tunnel of Maneri Bhali 2 HEP of UJVNL just 16 km from Silkyara, since Nov 2021. In 2008 there was similar a leakage. This time, UJVNL knows about it, but has not been able to fix so far. https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india/35km-from-silkyara-water-leak-from-tunnel-spooks-villages/articleshow/105685910.cms (03 Dec. 2023)
According to this report, due to the incomplete, abandoned tunnels of the cancelled Loharinag Pala hydropower project of NTPC in Uttarkashi district, there is land subsidence in four villages. https://goachronicle.com/land-subsidence-in-4-villages-of-uttarkashi-because-of-incomplete-tunnels-leads-to-panic/ (14 Feb. 2023)
Landslide continues on the rim area (periphery) of Tehri Dam. Though land subsidence has been happening in this area since 2010, but in 2022, the process has become more rapid. Like Joshimath, the govt has not disclosed the survey report conducted by the expert committee. https://www.downtoearth.org.in/hindistory/river/dam/uttarakhand-why-are-sinking-the-land-of-villages-situated-in-the-rim-area-of-tehri-dam-89624 (29 May 2023)
Villagers in Bageshwar staged protest for the second day demanding repair of the tunnel of North India Hydro Power Project. Villagers said that the ground above the tunnel was developing cracks but the company was not paying attention to this. https://sandrp.in/2023/02/11/systemic-failures-at-the-root-of-joshimath-disaster/ (11 Feb. 2023)
Jammu & Kashmir 7 workers of Pakul hydel project killed 7 workers of under construction Pakal Dul Hydropower project in Kishtwar died in a road accident at the hydropower project, three more injured. https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/jammu/7-workers-of-jk-hydel-project-killed-3-hurt-as-vehicle-falls-into-gorge/articleshow/100489497.cms (25 May 2023) The accident happened on Wednesday (May 24) morning after a cruiser vehicle ferrying project workers fell into a deep gorge near the site of the dam project. https://thekashmiriyat.co.uk/six-persons-dead-three-injured-in-accident-at-kishtwar-hydroelectric-project/ (24 May 2023) The van was transporting 10 employees of the Dangduru Power Project when the accident happened close to the Dangduru Dam site, according to the reports. https://theshillongtimes.com/2023/05/24/7-workers-of-a-power-project-killed-in-accident-in-kishtwar-of-jammu-and-kashmir/ (24 May 2023)
Telangana Medigadda dam of Kaleshwaram project damaged in Oct 2023 A portion of the Lakshmi (Medigadda) barrage on Godavari river on Telangana-Maharashtra border, part of the Kaleshwaram Lift Irrigation Project (KLIP) in Telangana’s Jayashankar Bhupalpally district caved in on Oct 21 2023, Saturday night with a loud sound. The incident led to the temporary closure of the bridge of the barrage across the Godavari River that links Telangana’s Mahadevpur mandal with Maharashtra’s Gadchiroli district. The KLIP is the world’s largest Lift Irrigation Project, possibly the costliest, with expenses already above Rs 1 lakh crore. The Union Govt, recognizing this as a major dam failure under para 8 of Schedule II of Dam Safety Act 2021, has promptly sent a team of six experts to assess the damage. https://sandrp.in/2023/10/24/medigadda-barrage-of-kaleshwaram-project-in-telangana-damaged-in-oct-2023/ (24 Oct. 2023)
After Medigadda;Sundilla, Annaram Barrages in Trouble Two more of the three barrages that are part of the Kaleshwaram Lift Irrigation Project (KLIP) – at Sundilla, and Annaram, have developed leaks from under the foundations causing concern among irrigation officials over safety of the two barrages. According to irrigation department officials, efforts are on to ‘build ring bunds’ – laying of sand bags on the upstream side of the barrages to cut water flow from the affected areas of the two barrages – was on but so far have not met with much success.
On Wednesday (Nov. 01) morning, it was first believed that the problem of leakages from under the foundations was only at the Annaram ‘Saraswati’ barrage, but soon after, it emerged that a similar problem was also occurring at the Sundilla ‘Parvati’ barrage. Sources said that an emergency ring bunds was being ‘built’ at Sundilla to reduce water pressure and the leak, and to prevent sand from getting displaced from under the foundations but their effectiveness in controlling the leaks, are questionable. https://www.deccanchronicle.com/nation/current-affairs/011123/leaks-from-under-foundations-cause-concern.html (01 Nov. 2023)
Water leaks from Kaddam project Water was leaking from the Kaddam Narayana Reddy project, one of the oldest irrigation projects of Telangana, due to the snapping of a rope carrying the counter weight of gate number 15, in Kaddampeddur mandal centre on Sep 26 2023. Water stored in the project leaked from the gate following the breakage of the rope. Officials of the irrigation dept said steps were being taken to repair the rope and to prevent leakage of the water. https://telanganatoday.com/telangana-water-leaks-from-kaddam-project (26 Sep 2023)
3 persons drown in Nagarjuna Sagar Dam Three persons drowned in Nagarjuna Sagar dam in Nalgonda district when they went into it to take bath. The bodies of the deceased were pulled out by rescue workers late on Feb 9, 2023. They were identified as Nagaraju (39), Uppala Chandrakanth (26) and Vacahspati (25), all residents of Hyderabad. https://www.siasat.com/telangana-three-persons-drown-in-nagarjuna-sagar-dam-2523349/ (10 Feb 2023)
Andhra Pradesh Polavaram project: Rock toe-wall abutting spillway develops bend The toe wall built with rocks abutting the spillway to manage the course of the Godavari river has developed a bend over a stretch of nearly 150 m at the Polavaram project site in Andhra Pradesh. The total length of the toe wall is 500 m. It guards the spillway through which the natural course of the river has been diverted as part of the construction of the project.
“On Jun 3, we noticed the bend developed on the toe wall over a stretch of 150 metres. We do not have any scientific clue yet for the development of the bend,” Polavaram Project Superintending Engineer K. Narasimha Murthy said. “We have communicated the issue to the dam design experts and Polavaram Project Authority (PPA). We are expecting a reply from them within a week on how to proceed with the toe wall”.
The preliminary field report submitted by the irrigation engineers contains the details of the soil behaviour at the spillway and the toe wall. The technical glitch at the spillway poses a major challenge for irrigation engineers when it comes to managing the water inflow during the Godavari flood, a regular phenomenon in July. https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/andhra-pradesh/rock-toe-wall-abutting-polavaram-project-spillway-in-andhra-pradesh-develops-bend/article66934418.ece (05 June 2023)
2 workers dead in mishap at Greenko RE project According to Nandyal SP K Raghuveer Reddy, a group of seven workers entered a tunnel at the Greenko project site near Pinnapuram village in Pangam mandal at around 9 am on Jul 21 2023. Due to inclement weather, mud blocks crashed on two workers, leaving them dead on the spot. The deceased were identified as Sonu Kumar (20) and Munnar Singh Bhokta (35), both residents of Chatra district in Jharkhand.
Police registered a case under section 174 of the IPC and are further investigating. The bodies of the deceased were shifted for postmortem. Negligence of the management has been alleged and an inquiry has been demanded. Why was the work happening in such an inclement weather? https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/amaravati/two-workers-dead-in-mishap-at-greenko-re-project-in-aps-nandyal-district/articleshow/102022029.cms (21 July 2023)
Punjab April 2023: Breach in micro hydel canal Local people have also blamed thermal plant management and the administration of negligence. They said that the damages could have been minimized if the management had reacted promptly to plug the seepages and to stop water supply to the breached canal. They further stated that despite timely information, the thermal plant management and administration remained inactive and the breach widened in couple of hours which finally washed away a part of concrete canal. As a result, the wheat, fodder crops were damaged by the gushing water apart from flooding of some houses. https://sandrp.in/2023/04/27/april-2023-breach-in-micro-hydel-canal-damages-crops-in-punjab/ (27 April 2023)
Compiled by Bhim Singh Rawat (bhim.sandrp@gmail.com)
SANDRP 