Sept. 2025: Six Killed in Luti Dam Flood Disaster in Chhattisgarh

September 10, 2025September 10, 2025 SANDRPLeave a comment

(Feature Image: Damaged Sadsa Luti dam in Balrampur)

A flash flood disaster caused by a significant breach in Luti dam bund has killed six people while one remained missing in Dhaneshpur village near Vishram Nagar under Balrampur district of Chhattisgarh. Six of the flood victims are members of a single family living about 500 meter downstream from the dam area. About eleven villagers were swept away by strong current of waters. Some of them managed to save their lives by holding on to trees and swimming to their safety. Three persons also suffered injuries in this dam induced flood incident.

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Chenab · Climate Change · Floods · Hydropower

Devastation at Chasoti: Underlining the vulnerability of Chenab Basin again

August 15, 2025August 15, 2025 SANDRPLeave a comment

Last October, we were about 15 kms from Chasoti in the Paddar valley of Jammu when we met Dular Singh jee, Priest of Machail Mata Temple, accompanied by other members of the Temple Management Board. They were on their way to Mindhal Mata Temple also on the banks of Chenab in the neighboring Pangi Valley. Theirs was a journey upstream and ours was downstream. We talked of Chenab, floods, Mindhal and Machail Mata Yatra (pilgrimage) and beautifully carved wooden temples of this region.

And today, Dular Singh jee, who is just 3kms from Chasoti, tells me in voice choked with emotion, “I have not seen such a catastrophic flashflood in my life.” The flood that started around 12 noon on Aug 14 2025, devastating Machail Mata yatra and pilgrims at Chasoti. “Mata Rani sabki raksha kare”. (May the deity protect all). He is also worried about villages like “Hangu, Hanoti, Hamori and Bhajanu Nalla”.

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Climate Change · Cloud Burst · Disasters · Floods · Himalayas · Monsoon

Aug 2025: Five Road Workers Missing After Flashfloods in Pauri-Uttarakhand

August 8, 2025August 8, 2025 SANDRPLeave a comment

(Feature Image: Search Operation on Aug 07, 2025 in Katola gaad of Bankura village in Chauthan Patti, Thaisain, Pauri. Source: Uttarakhand Police)

The Chauthan Patti under Thailisain block of Pauri Garhwal district in Uttarakhand has again been battered by excessive rainfall events on August 06 2025. Villagers have reported of 3 incidents of ‘cloudburst’ induced flashflood causing severe damages in Bankura, Mansari and Sarson villages.

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Beas · Climate Change · Cloud Burst · Hydro Disaster

July 2025: Flash Flood Destroys Patikari Hydro Project in Himachal

July 3, 2025 SANDRPLeave a comment

(Feature Image: Dam site of Patikari HEP destroyed by the flash flood.)

A ‘cloudburst’ induced deluge on the intervening night of June 30 and July 01, 2025 has totally destroyed the Patikari Hydroelectric Power (HEP) project in Mandi district of Himachal Pradesh. The 16 Mw project was built in Gudah village on Bakhali khad (Kuklah stream) a tributary of Beas River upstream Pandoh dam. The main project structures including the dam site and powerhouse have been washed away in the disaster. The 12 workers of the project managed to escape in the nick of time.

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Cloud Burst · Hydro Disaster · Rivers

June 2025: Indira Priyadarshini HEP in Himachal: Workers missing, Project damaged

June 26, 2025June 30, 2025 SANDRPLeave a comment

(Feature image rescue work in Manuni khad in Khaniyar, Kangra on 26 June 2025. Source: Social Media)

In a tragic incident several workers of under construction Indira Priyadarshini Hydel Project are missing after a ‘cloudburst’ induced flash flood struck the project site on June 25, 2025. The 4.8 Mw (2.4 X 2) small hydro power project is being developed by Indira Priyadarshini Hydro Power Pvt Ltd (IPHPPL) on Manuni khad near Sokani Da Kot village under Khaniyara post office of Dharamshala tehsil in Kangra district of Himachal Pradesh. Manuni khad is a tributary of Baner River in Beas basin. The construction work started in Dec 2019 & was scheduled for commissioning in May 2026.

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Cloud Burst

Himachal Pradesh: ‘Cloudburst’ Incidents in SW Monsoon 2024

December 14, 2024December 14, 2024 SANDRP3 Comments

(Feature Image: Cloudburst ravaged Bagipul area along Kurpan khad in Kullu district. in Aug. 2024. Source: Aaj Tak)

We have been able to identify 27 reported incidents of ‘cloudburst’ in Himachal Pradesh during the SW monsoon 2024. A table with some basic information about these incidents can be seen here.

The ‘cloudburst’ incidents have been reported from all geographical areas of the state spanning 8 districts throughout the season beginning with May 12 in Gharshu village of Kinnaur to September 26 from Paonta Sahib area of Sirmaur. The maximum 18 of these incidents have occurred in areas close to glaciers or snow-clad mountains followed by 5 in middle segment of Himalaya and 4 in Shivalik range of the state.

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Hydro Disaster

Himachal Pradesh: 12 More HEPs Impacted by Cloudburst Disaster in July 2024

August 16, 2024 SANDRPLeave a comment

(Feature Image: Flashflood damaged Malana I HEP dam site & Sechi HEP powerhouse in Beas & Satluj basin. Image source: Social Media.)

The multiple cloudburst incidents between July 29 and August 01, 2024, has caused large scale devastation in Kullu and Shimla districts of Himachal Pradesh. The initial media reports in brief have mentioned that two hydro electric-power (HEP) projects namely 85 Mw Malana-I and 14 Mw GreeenKo Project being damaged by the flashfloods. The follow up reports have extensive coverage on rescue and relief works, but not much is revealed about scale of damages to the HEP projects.

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Hydro Disaster

May 2024: Lambadug HEP Leak Disaster in Kangra-Himachal

May 12, 2024May 15, 2024 SANDRPLeave a comment

(Feature Image: Flashflood ravaged Multhan market area after leakages in 25 Mw Lambadug HEP tunnel on May 10, 2024. Image Source: Screen shot of Amar Ujala video report)

The massive leakages in penstock of Lambadug Hydro Electric Project (HEP) on May 10 2024 morning have caused extensive damages in Multhan market area of Kangra district in Himachal Pradesh. The sudden leakages turning into a flash flood spell occurred around 08:00 am on May 10, 2024. As per reports the deluge containing mud and debris spread over 400 meter of market and invaded about 50 homes, 80 shops apart from damaging cash crops over 6 acres farming land.

The incident created panic situation for 150 families living in the area. Several residents had to run to save their lives. The project and administration officials remained unavailable to control the situation for hours. With no help in site, the local people had to divert the gushing currents towards Lambadug river to prevent further damages to their homes and properties.

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Hydro Disaster

May 2024: Chanju III HEP in Chamba-HP: Rockfall Incident Kills 1; Injures 2

May 5, 2024 SANDRPLeave a comment

(Feature Image: Screenshot of First Verdict video report on rockfall incident at Chanju III HEP in Chamba)

A rockfall incident at weir site of Chanju III Hydro Electric Project (HEP) site in Chamba district of Himachal Pradesh has left one worker dead and two injured [i]. The incident occurred in afternoon on May 3, 2024 when several workers were working on the weir site of the project.

Suddenly rock pieces started falling on them from uphill portion creating panic among the workers. They had to run for the shelter to save their lives. However, one worker was severely hit by the stones and two others got injured while looking for safety cover.

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Hydro Disaster

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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