March 2024: 3 Hydropower Workers Killed in Avalanche in Kinnaur-Himachal Pradesh

March 12, 2024March 12, 2024 SANDRP1 Comment

(Feature image: Rescue work being done at Selti-Masrang HEP site in Kafnu, Kinnaur on March 11, 2024. Image Source: News 18 Hindi)

A snow avalanche has killed three workers of under construction Selti-Masrang hydroelectric power (HEP) project in Kinnaur district of Himachal Pradesh. The incident occurred in after noon hours reportedly around 01:00 pm on March 11, 2024.

The 24 Mw project is being built by Hyderabad based Ramesh Hydro Power Private Limited on Wangar khad, a tributary of Sutlej River near Kafnu village panchayat in Bhaba valley of the district. The basic information about the project can be seen here. A forest land of 4.75 ha was diverted for the project wide permission given in May 2013. In 2016, 0.64 ha more forest land was applied for. The project cost then in 2016 was Rs 154. 27 cr.

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Hydro Disaster

2023: Accidents & Damages to Hydro, Dam Projects in India

December 11, 2023 SANDRPLeave a comment

(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.

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Hydro Disaster

Parbati-II Leakage disaster in Himachal Pradesh in Nov 2023

November 20, 2023November 20, 2023 SANDRPLeave a comment

(Feature Image: Water stream flowing though Parbati -II hydro project tunnel on Nov. 17, 2023. Image Source: Divya Himachal)

The controversial Parbati-II hydro power project has suffered another major setback after massive water leakages was witnessed from the drainage gallery of its power house in the evening on Nov 17, 2023. The sudden gushing down of water from the tunnel caused panic among project staff and local people. About two dozen workers had to run away to save their lives. The water leakages resembled a flowing river as seen in this video report by Divya Himachal.

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Hydro Disaster

More Himachal Pradesh Hydro Projects damaged in flashfloods in July-Aug 2023

September 13, 2023January 3, 2024 SANDRPLeave a comment

(Feature Image: Heavy vehicles stuck in Machchhetar nulla near Kuther HEP Adit 3 tunnel in Bharmour tehsil of Chamba after August 25, 2023 cloud burst induced flash flood. Image Source: Screen shot of Himachali Vlogger Balwant Kapoor You Tube video)

In July and 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. The details of 2 HEPs (14 MW GreenKo HEP in Sutlej basin, Shimla and 66 MW Dhaulasiddh HEP in Beas basin, Hamirpur) earlier impacted by cloudbursts induced deluge in last week of June 2023 can be seen here.

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Hydro Disaster

Himachal demands Rs 658 Cr from NHAI for damage to Larji Hydro Project

August 14, 2023August 14, 2023 SANDRP2 Comments

In an unprecedented development[i], the Himachal Pradesh Chief Minister 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.

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Hydro Disaster

Himachalis blame NHPC dams for flood disaster in Sainj Valley in July 2023

August 9, 2023August 12, 2023 SANDRPLeave a comment

(Feature Image:- Deluge in Pin Parbati river engufling riverbank habitations in Sainj market on July 09, 2023. Source: Anil Khatri Vlogs)

The official report of what has transpired in Sainj Valley under Banjar subdivision of Kullu district during July 8-10, 2023 is still not in public domain, however the multiple media reports suggest it to be one of the worst flood disasters for the valley and have once again raised serious questions on the role the hydroelectric power (HEP) projects. Local people have specifically underlined the gross negligence by National Hydro Power Corporation (NHPC) company for turning floods into a disaster. Moreover, old media reports from the area have also highlighted that it was a disaster in the making for which the state government machinery as well hydro projects and NHPC have contributed hugely.

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Bhutan · Hydro Disaster

July 2023 Bhutan Hydro Project Disaster: 23 Dead and missing

July 23, 2023July 27, 2023 SANDRPLeave a comment

At least seven people were killed and 16 others missing in Bhutan after flash floods and landslides triggered by heavy rains washed away a section of a hydroelectric plant on July 20 2023[i]. They were washed away by the sudden burst at the residential area next to the worksite at Ungar village, according to a press release from the Prime Minister’s Office. Prime Minister Dr Lotay Tshering, who is in Lhuentse, said the devastating flashflood presented one of the biggest loss of lives and properties in recent memory, and shook the core of the nation.

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Hydro Disaster

Himachal Pradesh 25 June 2023: Cloud Bursts Damage 2 Hydro Projects

June 27, 2023June 27, 2023 SANDRPLeave a comment

(Feature Image: Under construction 66 Mw Dhaulasiddh hydro project site in Hamirpur. Image Source: ETV Bharat)

With the onset of south west monsoon 2023, 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.

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Hydro Disaster

April 2023: Another Landslide at Lower Subansiri HEP

April 8, 2023October 28, 2023 SANDRPLeave a comment

(Screengrab of India Today North East video report on landslide at Lower Subansiri HEP site on April 03, 2023)

The site of Lower Subansiri Hydroelectric Power (HEP) has witnessed another massive landslide on April 3, 2023. The 2000 MW project is being developed by NHPC Ltd at Gerukamukh bordering Assam and Arunachal Pradesh.

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.

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Hydro Disaster

Sikkim: Landslide near NHPC’s Teesta V dam in March 2023

April 8, 2023April 8, 2023 SANDRPLeave a comment

(Feature Image: Screen grab of Sikkim Spectators field visit video report interviewing landslide affected local people)

NHPC’s Teesta V HEP dam site has again witnessed a disastrous landslide. The incident occurred between 02:00 am and 03:00 am on Sunday, March 26, 2023 in Sokpay village area under Dikchu Zang block of Gangtok district. The same morning, Gyatso Lepcha of Affected Citizens of Teesta (ACT), Sikkim alerted SANDRP about the landslide.

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