(Feature Image: -Vedanta’s red mud pond collapse on Sept. 15, 2024 inundates farmlands in Kalahandi. Photo: OTV)
Besides the dam induced flood events, the available media reports show two incidents of breach in industrial dams causing substantial flood damages to local people in India during 2024. The first incident took place in NMDC’s iron ore mine in Kirandul area of Dantewada district in Chhattisgarh in July 2024 in which collapse of an iron ore waste ‘check dam’ resulted in extensive flood damages in downstream areas.
The second such incident happened in September 2024 when aluminium mine waste dyke breached in Vedanta Alumina Lanjigarh facility in Kalahandi district of Odisha flooding scores of farmlands with toxic mud. Interestingly both the NMDC and Vedanta have blamed extreme rains reason behind the breach in their mine waste collection facilities while the reports indicate negligence in maintenance of these dams.
There are also reports highlighting the plight of villagers affected by the breach in fly ash pond belonging to Ib Thermal Power Station (ITPS) in lakhanpur block of Jharsuguda district of Odisha in December 2023. As per report, the incident has polluted Hirakud dam waters and over 400 acres of farmland which were allotted to Hirakud dam displaced people.
Chhattisgarh NMDC’s Iron Ore ‘Check-Dam’ Flood Disaster An iron ore check-dam of the National Mineral Development Corporation (NDMC) has breached and created flood disaster in downstream area of Kirandul town in Dantewada district of Chhattisgarh. The breach of earthen dam located between mines 11 B & 11 in eastern ridge of Bailadila range occurred around 3 pm on Jul 21, 2024, following heavy rainfall. The subsequent deluge has affected several homes and vehicles in Bengali camp located downhill the dam in Kirandul town.
Based on available information so far, it seems the flood damages are mainly a result of mismanagement of iron ore waste structures by the NMDC. The heavy rainfall apparently first breached the uphill check-dam flooding the already silted up structure downhill resulting in overflow of iron ore slurry in massive amounts along with rain run-offs which subsequently has flooded the human habitation in Bengali camp area.
The district administration too seems to have learnt no lesson from similar incident in 2020 and took no mitigatory measures to avoid the reoccurrence of same. Most importantly, even though the mine areas are suspectable for such disasters, the District Disaster Management Authority (DDMA), Dantewada has so far formed no rules and regulations for the management of iron ore waste containing structures and such other dams/ sump. The District Administration and the Nagar Palika, Kirandul must also ensure that the drainage systems are not encroached upon and abused by dumping of solid waste.
The heavy rainfall spells are a reality and large share of blame lies with NMDC for not taking adequate safety measures for the management of its iron ore waste containing structures. The concerned citizens and affected people hope that the inquiry report just not become a formality but conducted in impartial manner so that it brings necessary changes in the approach and functioning of NMDC’s and district administration, Dantewada and Nagar Palika Kirandul. Otherwise, another repeat of such man-made flood disaster could be just round the corner. https://sandrp.in/2024/07/26/july-2024-nmdcs-iron-ore-check-dam-flood-disaster-in-chhattisgarh/ (26 July 2024) The eastern side wall of the NMDC sump tank, which is 70 metres long, 70 metres wide and 2.5 metres deep, collapsed, causing a sudden flow of a huge amount of water down the slope resulting in a flood-like situation in Kirandul, a district administration official said. https://theprint.in/india/breach-in-tank-causes-floods-in-chhattisgarhs-kirandul-town-40-families-evacuated/2184449/ (21 July 2024) The collapse, attributed to accumulation of iron ore particles, resulted in substantial damages including flooding of tribal homes, infrastructure destruction and the evacuation of affected families. NMMC’s mining operations have been a subject of contention for over six decades due to their adverse impacts on local rivers system and agricultural land. https://www.newsip.in/news-of-collapse-of-tailings-dam-in-chhattisgarh-nmdcs-role-suspicious/ (24 July 2024)
It is noteworthy that the district administration on August 29, 2024 imposed a penalty of Rs 1,620.5 crore on the NMMC for violation of laws in mining operations in Bailadila hills and asked it to deposit the penalty amount within 15 days. The collector wrote that the NMDC’s clarifications to the show cause notices issued by district administration were unsatisfactory. The letter stated that iron ore mining leases have been approved for Deposit No. 14 ML in an area of 322.368 hectares, Deposit No. 14 NMZ in 506.742 hectares, and Deposit No. 11 in 874.924 hectares in Kirandul village under Bacheli tehsil of Dantewada to the NMDC. https://www.business-standard.com/companies/news/dantewada-administration-imposes-rs-1-620-5-cr-fine-on-nmdc-for-violations-124083100359_1.html (31 Aug. 2024)
Odisha Water storage breach at Vedanta alumina unit A water storage facility at miner Vedanta Aluminium’s unit breached on Sunday (Sept. 15), impacting agricultural land in the region, which was flooded by “red mud”. ‘Red mud’ is the waste generated in the production of alumina from bauxite. It is also known as ‘bauxite residue’. The incident, which happened at Vedanta’s Lanjigarh alumina refinery, has alarmed environment experts who pointed out it was a serious matter as the toxic byproduct ‘red mud’ was involved. The pumped water level, or PWL, has causticity in water, meaning it can corrode organic tissue by damaging skin, eyes and mucus membranes. The water overflowed due to heavy rain, Vedanta Aluminium said. https://www.ndtv.com/business-news/water-storage-breach-at-vedanta-alumina-unit-in-odisha-impacts-farm-land-6580992 (17 Sept. 2024) The breach has triggered flooding, inundating hectares of agricultural land in Bandhaguda, Turiguda, and Basantapada areas. The affected areas are now facing a flood-like situation, with farmlands swamped by red mud.
According to reports, the incident occurred early this morning around 3 a.m. Affected farmers and locals fear that the red mud, a byproduct of the aluminium refining process, contains toxic substances that could pose significant health risks and damage the productivity of their lands.
Local residents alleged that there has been negligence in maintaining the facility by Vedanta which led to its collapse. They allege that improper construction and inadequate upkeep of the infrastructure caused the accident. Locals are also questioning why the facility was built in such an unsafe manner, especially given its proximity to human settlement. https://odishatv.in/news/odisha/vedanta-s-red-mud-pond-collapse-inundates-farmlands-in-kalahandi-locals-express-resentment-244209 (15 Sept. 2024) It is alleged that such a problem occurred mainly because the red mud pond of Vedanta Company was not properly protected. https://thesamikhsya.com/business/vedanta-red-mud-pond-collapsed-tension-in-lanjigarh-of-odisha (15 Sept. 2024)
Vedanta responds to dyke breach “This extreme weather caused elevated water levels and pressure in the dam’s catchment area, which led to the breach despite Vedanta’s ongoing preventive monitoring and safety measures,” a Vedanta spokesperson stated. The company has agreed with local authorities on compensation for affected farmers and villagers, offering ₹20,000 per hectare for agricultural land and ₹12,000 per hectare for non-agricultural land. “We are committed to working with agricultural experts to restore the impacted farmlands and ensure they are fertile again,” the spokesperson confirmed. https://www.cnbctv18.com/market/stocks/vedanta-share-price-aluminium-responds-to-dyke-breach-at-lanjigarh-refinery-announces-relief-efforts-and-compensation-19477093.htm (16 Sept. 2024) The Congress has called for a judicial inquiry into the release of ‘toxic’ red mud, a hazardous by-product of alumina refining, from Vedanta Group’s Lanjigarh facility as the industrial waste poses a significant threat, particularly to the region’s tribal communities. https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/congress-mla-demands-judicial-probe-into-breach-of-red-mud-pond-at-vedantas-lanjigarh-facility/article68664378.ece (20 Sept. 2024)
Dave Petley: -It appears that the mine waste release occurred on the northern side of the facility in the centre of the image, with evidence of mud on the fields for a distance of about 300 metres, although it is possible that it extends further than this. It is difficult to ascertain how far polluted water has moved. Fortunately, this failure appears to be quite limited in scale, and Vedanta has noted that production has been unaffected. Nonetheless, such a failure should not occur, and of course the local impact can be significant. https://eos.org/thelandslideblog/lanjigarh-1 (02 Oct. 2024)
Updates on OPGC Dec 2023 Fly Ash Dyke Breach
Tainted waters of Tilia put life in peril The dread of Tilia residents is compounded by the breach that occurred last December at an OPGC-run ash dyke at Banharpali, located 11 km from Tilia panchayat. The breach in the ash pond polluted the Hirakud Reservoir and 420 acres of farmland.
– “The ash ponds are right next to the reservoir…This area has been allotted for farming to those displaced by Hirakud Dam…If they make ash ponds in remote areas sans water sources or farmlands, it is a different thing. Otherwise, it is bound to leak and mix in water bodies and enter farmlands. We had protested when the IB plant construction began [the plant is operational since 1996],” Gopinath Majhi (67), a member of Hirakud Budi Anchal Sangram Samiti (a collective of displaced people) & Jharsuguda resident said. https://101reporters.com/article/environment/Tainted_waters_of_Tilia_put_life_in_peril (27 Jun 2024) – Officially, there are around 15 ash ponds of different industries in Jharsuguda district. Besides, there are also over 100 illegal ash ponds in the name of ‘low land fillings’. Breaches keep occurring in these ash ponds beyond the public glare and constantly pollute the rivers that merge with the Hirakud Dam reservoir. No penalty is paid for these. On December 7, 2023, the tehsildar (revenue official) of Jharsuguda has sent a reminder to the Vedanta authorities, directing them to deposit dues amounting Rs 20.11 lakh for the loss of government revenue due to deposit of slurry over a riverbed because of the collapse of its Katikela ash pond in 2017. https://www.downtoearth.org.in/news/pollution/ash-pond-breach-in-odisha-s-jharsuguda-destroys-cropland-causes-pollution-in-hirakud-dam-93315 (11 Dec. 2023)
Compiled by Bhim Singh Rawat (bhim.sandrp@gmail.com)
You may also like to see our earlier reports on this issue:
2023: Fly Ash Bund Breach Incidents in India
2022 Fly ash dam breaches in India
Singrauli Fly Ash Dam Breach: Who regulates these dams in India?
