The accidents and disasters occurring particularly during monsoon months have affected several Hydro Electric Projects (HEP) both built and under construction in Himalayan states of India. In this overview, we put together information about such disasters to underline their increasing vulnerabilities to climatic disasters endangering the lives of workers and local people living in the vicinity of these projects.
MAY 2025
Jammu & Kashmir ‘Cloudburst’ damages Karnah HEP The 12 Mw Karnah in Kishan Ganga sub basin has joined the long list of HEP projects facing reoccurring damages, repeated delays and cost escalation in Himalayan states. The flash flood, landslides & cloudburst disasters in Feb & May 2025 have further damaged the project and extended its completion. This underlines that the govt and developers have deliberately been overlooking the natural and climatic disaster potential of the project area and how the project worsens it, since the beginning. Interestingly, the frequent damage was the reason cited behind its upgradation.
Arunachal Pradesh Mati nullah HEP washed away The flash flood in last week of May 2025 washed away the power house building of Mati Nullah hydel project built on Lohit river in Anjaw district. As per MHA June 06, 2025 report, flash flood and landslide following heavy rainfall spells between May 31 and June 02, 2022 damaged 3 hydro power projects among other infrastructures in the state. However, there was no further information available about these projects.
JUNE 2025
Lower Subansiri HEP Damages in 2025 like in every year since 2019 It is clear that SLHEP has faced a very large number of instances of damages, we can see instances in each year since 2019 when the project work resumed. This is far from usual. This has not only led to cost and time overruns, but also created questions about the project among all concerned. It is good that NDSA has not given NHPC permission to commission the project. However, the reports based on which NDSA has taken this decision must be in the public domain. Any issue or report related to dam safety has to be in the public domain as these are subjects of public interest. It may be a good idea for the govt to institute an independent inquiry into what is going on this largest and costliest hydropower of India so far, leaving aside some projects taken up recently.
Himachal PradeshNHPC Parbati II, III HEPs damaged in floods The power generation at these NHPC projects has completely stopped and it is not certain when it will start again. The 800 MW Parbati Hydroelectric Project Phase II (PHEP-II) saw its entire powerhouse floor inundated with sludge, clogging draft tubes and disabling all four turbines. “Once the flow eases,” explains PHEP-II head Ranjeet Singh, “we’ll divert the Jivah nullah spill into a new alignment. Only then can we accurately assess the structural damage inside the powerhouse.” He cautions, however, that clearing compacted debris, much of it lodged beneath the turbines and draft tubes, could take time.
The 520 MW Parbati Project Phase III (PHEP-III) was similarly incapacitated—its trash racks buried beneath metres of debris, halting some 30 million units’ generation of electricity per day (combined generation from Ph II and III with. total capacity of 1320 MW). General Manager Prakash Chand Azad said, “With specialised equipment, we expect to restore at least two units within a short time. Full generation might take some more time, provided there are no further rain-triggered surges.”
Leakage in Parbati HEP tunnel In Feb. 2025, significant leakage was again observed from the head race tunnel (HRT) of the Parbati HEP-III near Bihali in the Sainj valley of Kullu district. The tunnel was leaking even before the project was commissioned in Feb 2014. Villagers had raised concerns over water ingress at various points in a 500 metre area between Spangni and Bihali in the 7.98 km tunnel. Even the commissioning of the project was delayed for about seven months for this reason.
Disaster in making in Sainj Valley Kala cho hills in Bhupan village under Raila Panchayat in Sainj valley of Kullu district has faced cracks and landslides. Shooting stones from the hills are falling in the village stream. In 2023, the hill witnessed a landslide without rain. The villagers allege that the NHPC’s Parbati HEP tunnel construction has already dumped huge amounts of muck in village stream. They also blamed NHPC for negligence in muck dumping and its blasting work for weakening the hills. Villagers fear that this could become a recipe for disaster in coming days.
Protesting against the NHPC, the Talada panchayat villagers in Sept. 2025 blamed its project for causing erosion threats for about 10 villages in the valley. They also stated that about half a dozen people had vacated their homes after the structures developed cracks. The villagers demanded adequate compensation and construction of a protection wall along the river to save the villages from the disaster.
Flood damages Sainj HEP The 100 Mw Sainj HEP impacted by flash flood in June 2025 has not yet been restored fully. The project has suffered damages worth crores.
‘Cloudburst’ damages Jiwa HEP in Sainj Valley A massive flash flood following a ‘cloudburst’ has totally damaged the powerhouse and weir site of the Jiwa Small Hydroelectric Project (SHP) in Sainj Valley of Kullu district, Himachal Pradesh on June 25, 2025. The powerhouse of 1 Mw SHP is located in Siund village area near the confluence point of Jiwa nullah with Pin Parbati river. Its weir site is located about 2 km upstream on the Jiwa stream.
Indira Priyadarshini HEP: Workers missing, Project damaged In a tragic incident several workers of under construction Indira Priyadarshini Hydel Project are missing after a ‘cloudburst’ induced flash flood struck the project site on June 25, 2025. The 4.8 Mw (2.4 X 2) small hydro power project is being developed by Indira Priyadarshini Hydro Power Pvt Ltd (IPHPPL) on Manuni khad near Sokani Da Kot village under Khaniyara post office of Dharamshala tehsil in Kangra district of Himachal Pradesh. Manuni khad is a tributary of Baner River in Beas basin. The construction work started in Dec 2019 & was scheduled for commissioning in May 2026.
As per this Nov. 3, 2025 report, the probe committee headed by the SDM visited the project site again and would submit a report to the District Collector, Kangra. The initial report had blamed construction of the power house in the flood zone, illegal mining and violations of muck dumping norms responsible for the disaster killing 7 of the workers while 1 was still missing.
Shongtong Karcham HEP affected by floods The video shows how Sutlej River is in floods in Kinnaur district, affecting the work of Shongtong Karcham HEP on June 24, 2025. The downstream Coffer dam seems to have washed away, which possibly means the upstream coffer dam too may have washed away.
Leakage in Shanan HEP fixed The pen stock number 3 of 110 Mw Shanan HEP developed leakages in the last week of June 2025 which were later fixed by the project officials.
JULY 2025
Flash Flood Destroys Patikari Hydro Project A ‘cloudburst’ induced deluge on the intervening night of June 30 and July 1, 2025 has totally destroyed the Patikari Hydroelectric Power (HEP) project in Mandi district of Himachal Pradesh. The 16 Mw project was built in Gudah village on Bakhali khad (Kuklah stream) a tributary of Beas River upstream of Pandoh dam. The main project structures including the dam site and powerhouse have been washed away in the disaster. The 12 workers of the project managed to escape in the nick of time.
AUG 2025
Flashflood Damages Malana-I HEP Again The latest disaster only proves that hydro project companies are paying no heed to safety restrictions in construction during monsoon and are deliberately risking the lives of workers and projects. It is apparent that these companies are not willing to learn any lessons despite facing repeated destruction and disasters.
Lippa Villagers Blame Kashang HEP for Artificial Lake in Sutlej Basin Just a week before the artificial lake formation, the Lippa village suffered significant damages to farm land, crops, cattle sheds and other structures following a ‘cloudburst’ induced flashflood in Bhogati nullah which feeds the Pajer khad in the morning of Aug. 29, 2025. Two migrant farm workers from Jammu & Kashmir were also injured in the incident.
Now, the formation of lake in Lippa and subsequent damages and threats to Lippa villagers also show how correctly they had pointed out to keep the Kerang stream free flowing to check the flashflood impacts from Pajer khad. However, their valid concerns & legitimate rights have so far been betrayed by the central and state govt agencies and by even the judiciary.
Kullu Villagers Demand Suspension of Sarbari-I SHEP Blaming Sarbari I Small Hydro Power (HEP) project for causing recurring disasters, the villagers of Mashana panchayat in Lag Valley of Kullu district have demanded suspension of the 4.5 Mw project operation. As per the villagers the leakages in the surge shaft and head race tunnel and burst of penstock of the project in Aug & Sep 2025 have caused landslides and flash flood disasters impacting their land & livelihoods. They have said that due to these disasters about 80 meter Mashana link road, some houses, a water tank and over hundreds of bigha of fertile farmland have been severely damaged.
Uttarakhand Rockslide at Vishnugad-Pipalkoti HEP For long, the locals have blamed the project developer for carrying out excessive blasting work resulting in weakening of the hills and cracks in homes in the area and disposing off construction muck and debris in the Alaknanda river. Only, in July 2024 a flash flood had damaged the project property and machineries apart from endangering the lives of several workers. The project is vulnerable to geological risks and has already suffered massive disaster and deaths in February 2021 Chamoli disaster.
Landslide Damages NHPC’s Dhauliganga HEP A landslide incident has partially damaged the power house tunnel of NHCP’s Dhauliganga HEP in Pithoragarh district of Uttarakhand. The incident occurred in the evening of Aug 30, 2025 after heavy rainfall also blocked the mouth of the underground tunnel with rocks and debris. The HEP is built on Dhauliganga river in Dharchula tehsil of the district.
Flood Affects Satpuli Barrage Project A flood spell in Nayar river (East) on Aug 6, 2025 morning has affected the ongoing construction work of Satpuli Barrage Project in Pauri district of Uttarakhand. The flood submerged some machines, heavy vehicles, worker camps and huge amounts of construction materials, leading to huge losses for the construction company. All these machines, materials and camps were in the riverbed and flood zone of the river, exposing them to flood threats in the peak monsoon.
Other Months of 2025
Arunachal Pradesh Fishes die downstream of Ranganadi hydro dam In the 2nd week of January 2025 Ranganadi (Panyor) river downstream of the 405 Mw hydroelectric project was once again witnessing mass fish death, with the water turning turbid and emitting a foul odour. This recurring environmental crisis has left locals alarmed and demanding answers. The murky black water and dead fishes along the banks have raised questions about water contamination and its potential impacts on human health and the aquatic ecosystem.
The blackening of the water and mass death of fishes occur around every five years due to maintenance activities at the dam. Although the NEEPCO claims to maintain the natural water flow during maintenance, the discoloured water and the death of fishes suggest lapses in ensuring adequate water quality. Over the years, downstream communities have repeatedly voiced their concern over reduced water flow, heavy siltation, and the destruction of the aquatic ecosystem. The lack of proper silt management and water quality monitoring remains a persistent issue.
Following this, the Arunachal Pradesh State Human Rights Commission (APSHRC) initiated suo moto action regarding a report on the Ranganadi River turbidity, mass fish deaths, water contamination linked to the 405 MW Ranganadi HEP, spreading a threat to the life of local communities. The commission instructed the deputy commissioners of Keyi Panyor and Papum Pare districts to carry out a joint assessment of the project’s effects on downstream populations. The APSHRC also directed the Chief General Manager of the NEEPCO, Yazali, to conduct an inquiry into the matter and submit an action taken report within four weeks.
NEEPCO’s dam repair under scrutiny Hardly a month later in Feb 2025, the Ranganadi river turned turbid in Lakhimpur district following the release of industrial waste from the dam of 405 Mw Panyor (Ranganadi) HEP of NEEPCO on its upstream at Yazali in Arunachal Pradesh. The river water became black in the downstream areas of Lakhimpur district, affecting the riverine ecosystem and triggering alarm among the people living along its banks. The deterioration in the water quality with foul smell emanating from it also caused death of fish and other aquatic species. Due to this development, people living along the riverbank became apprehensive about its impact on human health and aquatic ecosystem. People blamed dam repair work carried out by NEEPCO for this phenomenon.
Uttarakhand Blasting at Lakhwar Dam Shaking Hills, Damaging River The incident once again shows the scale of violations of norms that unusually take place in Dam construction projects in absence of adequate monitoring by the CWC and MoEF. The dam project scrapped in the 1980s is being pushed on the basis of outdated environmental and social impacts assessment.
Houses developed cracks due to Jamrani Dam blasting Several houses and farm lands in Khatri Khad village under Paniya Mehta Tok, Bhimtal block, Nainital district developed cracks due to the ongoing blasting for the Jamrani Dam project. A team from the district administration visited the village and inspected the cracks. After this, the project manager instructed the Jamrani Dam construction company to stop blasting in the area until a seismograph is installed. Villagers alleged that the cracks in houses appeared suddenly after the blasting and road cutting being carried out for the Jamrani Dam tunnel and other projects. As the blasting increased, the cracks also widened. They have demanded that the administration investigate the situation from a safety perspective and provide financial assistance to the affected families.
Jammu & Kashmir 22 families shifted amid threat of landslide in Kishtwar At least 22 families were shifted to safety and vehicular movement suspended on Kishtwar-Paddar stretch on April 19 after a road was damaged due to landslide in Kishtwar district, said officials. Officials have not yet released a statement on what led to the landslide. The officials said a stretch of nearly 200 metres was damaged after the landslide.
The local residents blamed massive blasting by the executing agency working on the 624 Mw Kiru HEP, as the reason behind the situation. The deputy commissioner advised hydroelectric project authorities to strictly adhere to standard operating procedures (SOPs) to minimise further impact and avoid exacerbating existing cracks. Pathernaki and Kiru segments of the road are highly slide-prone.
Workers Death
Himachal Pradesh Worker killed in fire incident at Chanju III HEP A huge fire incident occurred in labour colony of under construction 48 Mw Chanju III HEP in Chamba district on the night of March 14, 2025 killing a worker. The reason behind the incident was not known but it also gutted properties worth lakhs of rupees.
Kwar HEP worker fell into Chenab river A labour working in under construction Kwar HEP went missing after falling into Chenab river on Oct. 29, 2025. The 540 Mw project is being built in Nagseni tehsil of Kishtwar district. The worker identified as 24 year old Bilal Ahmad lost his balance while working on the project and was swept away by the Chenab river. The administration and project authority launched a search operation but could not find the body of the worker. Before this another worker Tilak Raj, a resident of the Himachal Pradesh engaged in the construction work of Kwar HEP had fallen into the Chenab river on June 29, 2025 and went missing.
Death of worker at Kiru HEP tunnel site A labour working inside the tunnel of Kiru HEP died after falling inside the tunnel from a height on July 31, 2025. The 624 Mw project is being built on Chenab river in Kishtwar district. The worker was identified as Rakesh Kumar aged 48 a resident of Nagseni area. Other workers of the project agitated against Patel Engineering after the incident. They blamed the company for being negligent towards the safety of the workers lives. As per them the deceased was not provided any safety equipment by the company. The police had lodged a complaint into the incident.
Death by Sudden Floods
Himachal Pradesh 5 tourists washed away after Parbati II HEP dam gates opened Two tourists from UP were swept away in the strong water current of Parvati river in Manikaran Valley of Kullu district on May 22, 2025. Later, the body of one of them was fished out while a search is on for the other, officials said. The police said that at around 1.30 pm, three tourists were swept away from one place and two others from another place in Kasaul valley. Out of them, three were rescued by local residents while the search for the one is still on in the river.
The incident took place after the water level of Parvati river rose following the release of water from NHPC’s Parbati II HEP dam located at Barshaini. Area residents said no forewarning was given though district officials said hooters were blown. A magisterial inquiry has been ordered to find out if the protocol of warning and alert was followed or not, and Kullu SDM would submit its report within a week, Kullu additional district magistrate Ashwani Kumar said.
Besides, the flooded river damaged machinery and disrupted ongoing flood protection work at Jari. Kullu MLA Sunder Singh Thakur got an FIR registered against power project officials, accusing them of violating dam safety and disaster management regulations. He cited previous incidents, including one in 2023 when several houses and shops in the Sainj market were destroyed due to the alleged negligence of the NHPC. The police have also registered an FIR for negligence and launched an investigation.
Uttarakhand Woman washed away after HEP released water A woman from Timlabagad village of Bageshwar district was washed away after Uttar Bharat Hydro Project released water suddenly on Oct. 10, 2024. The woman aged 35 year had visited the Saryu river for laundry work when the incident took place around 11:30 am. As per villagers such incidents had occurred in the past also. They also accused the project officials for endangering their lives by releasing water without any warning.
SANDRP
SANDRP 