Aug 2026: Failure to Manage Fly Ash Dams, Disposal in MP, UP & Chhattisgarh

September 5, 2026 SANDRPLeave a comment

(Feature Image: Collage showing in left Sasan UMPP’s damaged fly ash dyke, in centre NTPC’s Unchahar plant damaged fly ash pipeline and on right truck found dumping fly ash illegally in Korba. Source: Amar Ujala, Dainik Bhaskar, ETV Bharat)

There have been at least three incidents of leakages from fly ash dykes at Reliance’s Sasan UMPP in MP & NTPC’s Unchahar Plant in Raebareli, UP in Aug. 2026. All the three incidents have considerably affected nearby village and farmer communities in both the states. Notably, both projects have also experienced ash dyke related leakages and failures in the recent past, raising serious concerns over safety of the structures and safe disposal of the toxic fly ash.

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Aug-Sep 2026: Mandakini Flood Disaster in Chitrakoot

September 4, 2026September 4, 2026 SANDRPLeave a comment

(Feature Image: Screengrab of drone video capturing severe flood spell in Mandakini river in Chitrakoot town, Satna on Aug. 29, 2026. Source: Hindustan Samachar)

The Mandakini (Paisuni) river has witnessed a major flood event in the pilgrimage town spread across Satna and Chitrakoot districts of Madhya Pradesh and Uttar Pradesh during August 28-30, 2026. The deluge was triggered after prolonged heavy rainfall in the upper hilly catchment of river, which broke records set 23 years ago. The flood spell has killed two people and left one missing in addition to causing widespread damage to public and private properties.

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Dam floods · Fly Ash Bund Breach

April 2026: HTPS Fly-ash Dam Burst in Korba, Chhattisgarh

April 22, 2026 SANDRPLeave a comment

(Feature Image: A JCB trapped in slurry after breach in HTPS fly ash dam in Korba, Chhattisgarh. Source: Hasdeo Express)

A JCB operator was killed after a breach in fly ash dam (Rakhad dam) near Jhabu and Nawagaon villages under Katghora tehsil of Korba district in Chhattisgarh on April 19, 2026. The fly ash dam belongs to Hasdeo Thermal Power Station (HTPS), Korba West. The power station is owned and operated by Chhattisgarh State Power Generation Company Limited (CSPGCL).

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Dams, Rivers & People

DRP 230226: Time for a Nationwide INDEPENDENT AUDIT of Dam Safety

February 23, 2026February 23, 2026 SANDRPLeave a comment

(Feature Image: Cracks in Medigadda barrage structure. Source: DC, Jan. 2024)

The recommendation of Nation-wide audit of Dam Safety in India in the editorial in Deccan Herald, following International Conference on Dam Safety in Bangalore on Feb 12-13 is very important and timely, the only added proviso required is that the audit must be independent. Dam Safety is essential for public safety and how can this objective be achieved if everything related to dam safety is shrouded in secrecy, with entry to all work and meetings restricted to what the government describes as experts, mostly govt officials, current and retired.

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Dams, Rivers & People

DRP 270126: Climate Crisis and Water Bankruptcy

January 27, 2026January 27, 2026 SANDRPLeave a comment

The new report released by United Nations University last week describing the global water situation in climate change context as water bankruptcy may seem like a bit of exaggeration for many places. In any case, it is not possible to describe the water situation across the globe in a couple of words.

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Dam Safety

DRP 120126: NDSA notice to NVDA on Bargi Dam Safety exposes India’s Dam Safety Mess

January 12, 2026 SANDRPLeave a comment

The news this week that the National Dam Safety Authority (NDSA) has issued a show cause notice possibly on Sept 29-30 2025 to the Member (Engg) of Narmada Valley Development Authority (NVDA) regarding violation of the Dam Safety Act (DSA) 2021 in operation and maintenance of the Bargi Dam, pointing out “serious” and “gross” negligence and threatening action under sections 41 and 42 of the DSA.

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Dams, Rivers & People

Dam Protest 2025: People Demands Development Not Displacement

January 2, 2026 SANDRPLeave a comment

The annual overview tracks top ten people’s resistance stories against large dam projects in India during 2025. It is encouraging to see that the year ended with the Odisha CM announcing scrapping of Samakoi dam project after strong opposition by local villagers. Interestingly, the NTCA and CEC have boldly underlined the threats to tribal people, tigers and forest biodiversity from proposed Morand-Ganjal dam in Madhya Pradesh and dams in Shivalik national park in Haryana. During the year, the villagers have organized mass protests against massive Guna and Dongari dams under PKC link project. Demanding basic information and consultation, the affected tribals have halted ground surveys for Basania dam project.

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Dam Safety · Dams, Rivers & People · Hydro Power Projects

2025: Corruption in Dams and Hydro Projects in India

December 19, 2025 SANDRPLeave a comment

(Feature Image: Washed out Teesta III dam in Sikkim. Credit: Save the Hills)

In May 2025, Sikkim Vigilance Police conducted raid in several cities to probe allegations of financial corruption and fraud in 1200 Mw Teesta III HEP dam project claiming that the material gathered could unearth massive scandal that compromised the dam’s safety and led to its structural failure in Oct. 2023. The Assam GST department in Sept. 2025 has uncovered ₹8.2 cr irregularities in tax filings and transactions by the company involved in constructing the dam of 2000 Mw Subansiri Lower HEP.

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Dam Safety

2025: Dam Safety Issues in India

December 12, 2025December 12, 2025 SANDRPLeave a comment

(Feature Image: A worn out portion of Singur dam embankment. Source)

This annual overview presents top ten reports highlighting the dam safety issues in India. Worryingly, the central govt in Oct. 2025 itself has revealed that safety audit of about 5000 large dams is pending. Before this, the NHRC in Feb. 2025 sought a report on safety of the dams across the country. The plea rightly demanded a transparent, accountable and participatory dam safety mechanism to prevent disasters. Indeed, the aging infrastructure, inadequate maintenance, slow progress of rehabilitation and fast changing climate are among the key issues putting our dams under threats.

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Dam Induced Flood Disaster

2025: Dam Induced Flood Incidents in India

December 5, 2025December 10, 2025 SANDRPLeave a comment

(Feature Image: Locals assist in moving flood affected people to a safer place as floodwater enters villages in Ajnala, near Amritsar. Source)

India has witnessed several incidents of dam induced floods during south west monsoon 2025. The most remarkable and devastating episode unfolded in Punjab and Himachal Pradesh states in August 2025 largely due to mismanagement of Bhakra, Pong and Ranjit Sagar dams by BBMB. While negligence of BBMB has invited FIRs in Himachal Pradesh, warnings by Punjab govt and petition in NGT, there is no report in public domain suggesting the authority taking any credible action to make its dam operation scientific and accountable after the disaster.

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