July 2026: 25 Workers Killed in NHPC Teesta-VI HEP Tunnel Disaster in Sikkim

July 24, 2026 SANDRPLeave a comment

(Feature Image: Joint rescue and recovery operation at Teesta VI HEP tunnel site in Samardung, Sikkim: Image credit: PTI/Source: ETV Bharat)

The methane leak and explosion disaster on 20 July 2026 inside the under-construction ADIT-III tunnel of NHPC’s 500 MW Teesta Stage-VI Hydroelectric Project (HEP) at Samardung in South Sikkim claimed the lives of all 25 trapped workers, making it one of the worst tunnel accidents in India’s hydropower sector.

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Yamuna River

Yamuna Manthan July 2026: River without Flows Even During Monsoon

July 15, 2026July 15, 2026 SANDRPLeave a comment

(Feature Image: HKB July 06, 2026 hydrograph showing only 9.97 cusecs flow being released in Yamuna despite substantial rise in inflows. Source: CWC)

It is well known that excessive diversion of Yamuna waters at the Hathnikund Barrage (HKB) in Yamuna Nagar, Haryana over the past two-and-a-half decades has turned the perennial river into a seasonal stream in its upper reaches during the lean season. However, an analysis of the Central Water Commission’s (CWC) hourly discharge figures and hydrographs since July 1, 2026 reveals that the river is now being deprived of its essential flows even during the monsoon.

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Sand Mining

Impact of Sand Mining, Transportation on River Infrastructures across India

July 4, 2026 SANDRPLeave a comment

(Feature Image: Sand boats stuck in Prakasam barrage during Sept. 2024 floods. Source: Hans India)

This overview tracks the incidents of damage and threats to bridges and other river infrastructure across India between March 2023 and June 2026. The compilation shows that at least six bridge collapse incidents were reported where riverbed sand mining, sand transportation or excessive riverbed disturbance either directly contributed to the collapse or emerged as a significant risk factor alongside floods, poor construction and overloading.

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CWC - Central Water Commission · Floods · Himalayas · Hydro Disaster · Monsoon

June 2026: Flash Flood Disaster at NEEPCO’s HEP Site in Arunachal Pradesh

June 25, 2026June 26, 2026 SANDRPLeave a comment

(Feature Image: Scren grab of flash flood passing through NEEPCO 43 Colony at PLHEP site in mornng hour of June 24, 2026. Source: Pratidin Time news)

A severe flash flood spell in the Poosa–Yazali area of Keyi Panyor district, Arunachal Pradesh on June 24, 2026, has significantly affected NEEPCO’s 43 colony located near the Panyor Lower Hydroelectric Project (PLHEP) site, close to the reservoir of the HEP. The disaster occurred around 6 in the morning, heavy spell creating a cloud burst like situation.

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Sand Mining

June 2026: Impact of Mining on River Infrastructures in Punjab, Haryana

June 19, 2026June 19, 2026 SANDRPLeave a comment

(Feature Image: The flood protection work around the pillars of already mining threatened Agampur bridge over the Sutlej river in Ropar district was damaged following discharges from Bhakra dam on June 15, 2026 night. Source: The Tribune)

This report attempts to document the impact of excessive mining activities on river infrastructure in Punjab and Haryana between 2023 and 2026. Our previous nationwide analysis on the subject can be seen here for 2023 and 2022.

Based on the available reports, at least three bridges have been impacted by riverbed mining operations in Punjab during past three years. This includes the Algran bridge on Swan river, which suffered severe damage during the 2023 floods. The bridge has remained shut since Dec. 2023 affecting connectivity for scores of villages.

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Yamuna River

Yamuna Manthan June 2026: Any Hope from Apex Court’s 3rd River Cleanup Attempt?

June 13, 2026 SANDRPLeave a comment

(Feature Image: Confluence of Yamuna (left) and Aglar river (left) in Dehradun in April 2025. BS Rawat/SANDRP)

In a significant development, the ongoing proceedings before the Hon’ble Supreme Court on May 27, 2026, in the Kondli drain pollution matter appear to have expanded into a broader Yamuna rejuvenation case. Notably, this marks the third such intervention by the apex court, with the previous two not resulting in any substantial change in river governance or pollution control or state of the river.

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CWC - Central Water Commission

CWC Flood Forecast Website Failure at Start of 2026 Monsoon Season

June 11, 2026 SANDRPLeave a comment

(Feature Image: Screen shot of CWC’s FF website taken on June 11, 2026)

Fundamental problems continue to plague Central Water Commission’s (CWC) flood monitoring work. In the latest such incident, its main Flood Forecast (FF) website remained inaccessible for over a week, right at the beginning of the forecast season.

As per a CWC presentation at the annual flood preparedness conference on May 2, 2026, it has a network of 1543 hydrological observation stations & 360 flood forecasting stations including 201 level forecast & 159 inflow forecast stations covering 20 river basins in 27 states & UTs.

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Dams, Rivers & People · Godavari · Irrigation

2025: Sand Miners Suspected for Blasting Check Dams in Telangana

June 10, 2026June 10, 2026 SANDRPLeave a comment

(Feature Image: Check dam on Manair river at Adavisomanpalli in damaged condition on Dec. 18, 2025. Source: DC)

Collapse of two check dams, Tanugula and Adavisomanpally, on Manair river during Nov-Dec 2025 under suspicious circumstances has raised serious concerns about the structural safety of the irrigation infrastructures in Telangana. The locals and officials suspect the role of illegal sand mining and possible use of explosives by sand miners as likely cause.

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Dams, Rivers & People · Ganga · Interlinking of RIvers · Rivers · Yamuna River

Yamuna Manthan May 2026: Ken-Betwa Linking Needs Urgent Reassessment

May 16, 2026 SANDRPLeave a comment

(Featue Image: Protesters express anger by staging symbolic hangings during the protest during April 5 to 16, 2026. Photo: Amit Bhatnagar/DTE)

Fresh protests over the past month by tribal communities affected by the Ken-Betwa River Linking Project have again raised serious concerns about its environmental impact and social costs. The project is going ahead despite questions over its hydrological assessment and environmental, forest and wildlife clearances. Moreover, the govt has not even explored the available cost effective and better alternatives.

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Environmental Flow · Floodplain · Floods · Urban Rivers · Yamuna River

Yamuna Manthan 0426: Will Govts Ensure Survival of Chambal River Sanctuary?

April 9, 2026 SANDRPLeave a comment

(Feature Image: Index map of Parbati-Kalisindh-Chambal River Interlinking Project. Souce: NWDA)

Two critical developments over the past month have once again highlighted the scale of threats undermining the ecological integrity of the Chambal, the largest tributary of the Yamuna. The rich aquatic life in the Chambal Sanctuary has already been adversely affected by the gradual decline in river flows and unabated illegal sand mining.

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