Not less than 14 hydroelectric tasks in Himachal Pradesh have suffered harm as a consequence of flash floods since July 25, with some being affected a number of occasions over the previous 10 years, in accordance with a brand new evaluation.
As harm to hydroelectric tasks from flash floods and cloudbursts turns into a recurring subject — impacting each communities and energy technology — consultants are calling for catastrophe danger analyses to be performed earlier than such tasks are undertaken.
In addition they suggest the preparation of strong catastrophe administration plans, and the set up of early warning techniques and flood forecast stations.
In keeping with the evaluation by the South Asia Community on Dams, Rivers, and Folks, two hydroelectric tasks suffered vital harm as a consequence of a ‘cloudburst-induced flash flood’ within the Palchan space of Kullu district on the intervening evening of July 25-26.
Each HEPs — the 2-megawatt Pinnacle HEP on the Serai river and the 9-Megawatt Beas Kund HEP on the Beas river — are owned and operated by personal firms.
“We have now misplaced every part besides the powerhouse constructing,” Viany Parma, the supervisor of the Beas Kund undertaking, advised SANDRP.
Bhim Rawat of SANDRP stated that Google Earth imagery exhibits that the powerhouses of each HEPs have been inbuilt energetic flood zones of the Serai and Beas rivers.
He stated between July 29 and Aug. 1, a number of flash floods broken 12 HEPs within the Kullu and Shimla districts of the state.
Six tasks have been broken within the Beas river basin in Kullu district, together with the 4-megawatt Jirah HEP, 800 KW Raksat Mini HEP, 5-MW Brahmaganga HEP, 100-MW Malana 2 HEP, and 86-MW Malana 1 HEP.
The flash floods additionally impacted seven HEPs within the Ghanvi Khad and Samej Khad of the Sutlej river basin within the Rampur tehsil of Shimla district.
These are the 13.5-MW Higher Nanti HEP, 8-MW Kurmi HEP, 14-MW Decrease Nanti HEP, 14-MW Sumez HEP, 22.5-MW Ghanvi 1 HEP, 4.5-MW Sechi HEP, and 10-MW Ghanvi II HEP.
A flash flood on July 31-Aug. 1 killed no less than eight employees of the Sumez undertaking, in accordance with media reviews.
A few of the tasks, together with the Brahmaganga, Jirah, Beas Kund, Malana II, Higher Nanti, and Sumez HEPs, in each Kullu and Shimla districts have been affected a number of occasions over the previous decade, the evaluation confirmed.
Rawat stated that the impression in Shimla is so extreme that officers from personal HEPs have been unable to achieve the undertaking websites to evaluate the harm.
The flash floods have rendered all 14 HEPs non-operational, resulting in vital technology losses.
“The frequency of heatwaves and heavy rains is growing as a consequence of international warming, and it is solely going to worsen. We must always account for worsening excessive climate occasions when designing such tasks,” Madhavan Rajeevan, former secretary of the Union Earth Sciences Ministry, advised PTI.
Himanshu Thakkar, the coordinator of SANDRP, identified that there aren’t any influx forecast stations or stage forecast stations in Himachal Pradesh. Consequently, no flood forecasts are made within the state, that are essential for saving lives and public property.
A Central Water Fee official in Shimla advised PTI that there are plans to ascertain influx and stage forecast stations within the state however didn’t reveal particulars.
Thakkar added that the Union Atmosphere Ministry ought to conduct catastrophe danger analyses earlier than hydroelectric tasks are constructed.
Unbiased post-disaster assessments ought to be performed after such incidents. Sturdy catastrophe administration plans ought to be ready, and early warning techniques ought to be put in, he stated.
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