In a major scary incident, the Tala Dam on Wangchhu River in Chukha district of south Bhutan has overtopped for the first time ever, on Oct 5 following unprecedented rainfall in western Bhutan, prompting flood warnings for downstream areas in India’s north Bengal. Bhutan’s NCHM confirmed that DGPC reported that the dam gates failed to open, leading to river water flowing over the dam, considered most dangerous situation for any dam as dams are not designed for such an eventuality.
Continue reading “Oct 2025: Bhutan’s Tala Dam Overtopped”Tag: Chukha
BHUTAN DRP 2023: Uncertain Fate of Mega Hydro
The Dams, Rivers & People overview of Bhutan here, mainly from media reports from Bhutan, highlights the failed hydropower goal of adding 10000 MW capacity by 2020. The fate of the 1200 MW Punatsangchu I remains uncertain, yet to be decided if the dam will be abandoned for barrage. The flood disaster in July 2023 that washed away 32 MW Yungichhu HEP and killed about 23 people was possibly sign of things to come, as shown by the washing away of the 1200 MW Teesta 3 project in neighbouring Sikkim in early Oct 2023 with GLOF. On positive side, Bhutan has decided to go for Solar and Wind. The Nikachhu HEP is likely to be commissioned soon, adding 118 MW to Bhutan’s installed capacity.
But let us begin with a postive story of a woman River Guardian.
Continue reading “BHUTAN DRP 2023: Uncertain Fate of Mega Hydro”
Changing profile of India’s Hydro Power Import from Bhutan
Prime Minister Narendra Modi has been saying to Nepal and others that Bhutan is a good example to show how a country can prosper from hydropower generation and export. During his trip to Bhutan in June 2014, soon after taking over as Prime Minister of India, he said, “Our Hydropower cooperation with Bhutan is a classic example of win-win cooperation and a model for the entire region.”
However, this hydropower import by India from Bhutan is not a new development. Central Electricity Authority under Union Ministry of Power provides[1], in its monthly reports, power import from Bhutan, these figures are available since 2005-06. Continue reading “Changing profile of India’s Hydro Power Import from Bhutan”
SANDRP 