(Feature Image: Flood spell in Chenab river overtopping and damaging part of cofferdam at 850 MW Ratle HEP in Kistwar, J&K. Source: Greater Kashmir).
The cofferdam of Ratle Hydroelectric Project (HEP) was partially damaged due to a floods in Chenab river on July 23, 2026. The 850 MW project is under construction near Drabshalla village in Kishtwar district of Jammu & Kashmir. The cofferdam was built to divert river flows and facilitate construction of the main concrete gravity dam.
According to project officials, there was a sudden rise in river level following heavy rains in upper catchment resulting in increased inflows at the project site. The high flood discharge overtopped the temporary diversion structure, inundated the construction area and led to suspension of ongoing construction works.
As per this report, the gates of the upstream 540 MW Kwar HEP another under-construction project, were also opened earlier the same day which contributed to the rise in Chenab’s flood level downstream at the Ratle project site. Fortunately, no fatalities or injuries were reported. Workers and project staff were shifted to safer locations before the cofferdam was overtopped. In addition to the cofferdam breach the project site was also affected by the flash flood.
Following the incident, the project authority began assessing the extent of damage to project infrastructure and machinery. Technical teams were also deployed to inspect the site and recommend measures to stabilize the affected area to prevent further losses. So far, the project authority has put no official information in public domain regarding the overall impact of the flood on the project assets and construction activities.
About the Project
The project is being developed by Ratle Hydroelectric Power Corporation Ltd. (RHPCL), a joint venture of NHPC Ltd and UT (Union Territory) Govt of J&K. The project involves construction of a 133 metre high concrete gravity dam, an underground powerhouse and an additional 30 MW unit to release mandatory environmental flows. The salient features of the project can be seen here.
The project was first approved in 2008 with a capacity of 690 MW which was later increased to 850 MW by GVK Company. Despite the foundation stone being laid in 2013 with completion target of 60 months, the project construction remained stalled till 2019 after termination of Engineering, Procurement and Construction (EPC) contract.
In Jan. 2021, the Union Cabinet revived the project and approved a revised cost of ₹5,281.94 crore. The RHPCL was formed in June 2021 and the EPC contract was awarded to Megha Engineering & Infrastructures Ltd in Jan. 2022. Prime Minister re-laid the project’s foundation stone in April 2022 and the construction resumed the same year. The project completion target has also been extended from Feb. 2026 to Nov. 2028.
Increasing Disasters in Chenab Valley
It is worth mentioning that hydro power projects in Chenab valley have witnessed an increasing number of disasters in recent years. Ratle HEP itself has suffered several construction-related accidents over the years. In Oct. 2022, two successive landslides at the project site killed four people and caused injuries to six others besides halting construction work. The project cofferdam has suffered flood damages in past too.
The Ratle HEP cofferdam breach has occurred just 17 days after the flash flood disaster at the upstream 540 MW Kwar HEP on July 06, 2026. Similarly, a major landslide struck the under-construction 1,000 MW Pakal Dul HEP in Kishtwar district in March 2026, killing one worker, leaving another missing, injuring two others and severely damaging construction machinery at the head race tunnel site.
According to a Rajya Sabha reply on July 27, 2026, six workers have lost their lives at the Ratle HEP over the past five years. Altogether, 35 workers have died and three sustained serious injuries in four big under construction HEPs in Kishtwar district including Pakal Dul HEP (16), Kiru (8), and Kwar (5) during same period.
Interestingly, in a separate written reply same day, the Minister stated that it has no information indicating that blasting, tunnelling or muck disposal associated with NHPC and CVPPL HEPs in Kishtwar district has caused cracks or structural damage to nearby houses. Consequently, the government said no compensation has been assessed or paid for such damage.
Another written reply by the Power Ministry on July 20, 2026 revealed that these four strategic HEPs in Chenab valley have suffered an average delay of about 3.5 years. The Pakal Dul and Kiru HEPs have recorded a combined cost overrun of ₹5,737 crore.
The reply has cited multiple reasons including court cases, the COVID-19 pandemic, landslides, floods, labour strikes, land acquisition issues, local agitations, delayed award of contracts and restricted blasting near inhabited areas, behind the significant delays.
Pakal Dul has been delayed by nearly seven years, while Ratle and Kwar are now expected to be commissioned in Nov 2028 and March 2028, respectively instead of their original Feb. and Nov. 2026 deadlines.
Meanwhile, the reoccurring disasters have once again highlighted the growing vulnerability of HEP construction sites across the Chenab basin. They also underscore the need for a cumulative risk assessment and an independent review of disaster preparedness at HEP sites in Himalayan region. This particular disaster needs an independent assessment to understand the role of upstream Kwar Project water releases, SOPs and preparedness of the Ratle project to possible high inflows and how the floods were tackled.
SANDRP
