(Feature Image: Rockfall at Chamera III dam site in Chamba on July 24, 2026. Source: Amar Ujala)
A rockfall at the dam site of the 231 MW Chamera-III Hydro Project narrowly averted a major tragedy on July 24, 2026. The incident occurred close to the dam construction area around 6 PM near Kharamukh on the Pathankot–Bharmour NH in Chamba dist, Himachal Pradesh.
Around 25 workers were present at the site when a section of the hill slope suddenly collapsed, sending large boulders and debris crashing onto the project site amid a massive cloud of dust. Panic spread across the construction area as workers rushed to safer locations. While most escaped in time, three workers sustained minor injuries after being struck by falling stones.
The injured workers were given primary treatment and reported to be out of danger. One of the injured workers was later shifted to Govt Medical College, Chamba for observation. According to NHPC General Manager Tikeshwar Prasad, the workers’ prompt response prevented what could have been a much larger disaster. The district administration and concerned agencies initiated an assessment of the affected slope to step up safety monitoring before resumption of work.
On July 25, 2026, district officials confirmed that one of the three injured workers, identified as Kartik Chauna, was admitted to the Government Medical College, Chamba, for treatment, while the remaining two workers had recovered. Deputy Commissioner Mukesh Repaswal said the administration was closely monitoring the vulnerable slope and reviewing site safety.
About Project: Chamera III HEP has been developed by NHPC Ltd. as the third stage of the Chamera HEP Complex following the commissioned Chamera-I (540 MW) and Chamera-II (300 MW) projects. The project comprises a 68-metre-high concrete gravity dam, a 15.99 km-long head race tunnel, a surge shaft and an underground powerhouse. The basic and technical features of the project can be seen here. The project received Cabinet approval in Sept, 2005. The construction work began in 2008 & it was commissioned in June 2012 at an estimated cost of ₹1,405.63 cr.
Dec. 2025: NHPC Directed to Expedite Rehabilitation: The July 2026 rockfall incident has occurred six months after the Chamba DC raised concerns over rehabilitation, environmental management and landslide risks associated with the project. During a review meeting in Dec. 2025, the DC directed NHPC to expedite employment and rehabilitation of project-affected families, improve waste management and environmental safeguards and identify a safer relocation site for the landslide-affected Muchka village.
July 2020: Landslide Threat: Concerns over geological instability in the project are not new. In July 2020, residents of Dharwala village met the Sub-Divisional Magistrate, alleging that seepage associated with the project had triggered landslides and damaged houses. According to the villagers, several families had already been relocated due to landslide threats.
They also claimed that the rehabilitation site itself also developed seepage and landslide problems, leaving them vulnerable once again. The affected residents demanded permanent rehabilitation and warned that any future disaster would reflect administration’s failure to address their long-pending grievances.
Oct. 2014: Tunnelling & Blasting Impact: In this photo essay HIMDHARA has documented how tunnelling and blasting for the Chamera-III HEP damaged houses in Mokhar village. The report highlighted that leakage from the project’s head race tunnel and surge shaft in Apr 2012 triggered landslides, damaged homes & pastures; forced the evacuation of around 40 families.
The July 2026 rockfall has once again highlighted the high geological vulnerability of the Chamera-III HEP, especially during the monsoon. It raises fresh concerns about worker safety, slope stability and disaster preparedness at the project site. There is need of an independent assessment of geology of the area close to the project.
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