Himachalis blame dams for July Sainj Valley flood disaster

Arial view of Sainj market after flood destruction. The Tribune via SANDRP

August 9, 2023SANDRP

The official report of what has transpired in Sainj Valley under Banjar subdivision of Kullu district during July 8-10, 2023 is still not in public domain, however the multiple media reports suggest it to be one of the worst flood disasters for the valley and have once again raised serious questions on the role the hydroelectric power (HEP) projects. Local people have specifically underlined the gross negligence by National Hydro Power Corporation (NHPC) company for turning floods into a disaster. Moreover, old media reports from the area have also highlighted that it was a disaster in the making for which the state government machinery as well hydro projects and NHPC have contributed hugely.  

The Disaster The heavy rains started lashing the Sainj Valley on July 8, 2023, raising the water levels in Sainj river, which is also known as Pin Parbati river and joins the Beas at Larji dam. Due to constant rains for two days and subsequent flash floods the area was further cut off from power supply, communication and road connectivity which were only resorted after four days. As a result, the reports of flood damages and visual on scale of destruction started coming out in several days after the disaster.

This video, probably shot during July 08 and 09 and later shared on YouTube captures horrific live visuals of flash floods destroying human properties on either bank of Parbati river. The ground report by News 18 Himachal also shows the trail of destruction in Sainj market and terming it a man-made disaster several local people have again flagged the absence of any warning or alert by NHPC, sudden water releases from the dam, dumping of muck dumping along the river resulting in the avoidable devastation. They also said that they never have seen this scale of floods in the river and situation would not be so dangerous if dam was empty. 

As per The Tribune, 12 July 2023 report, “It was after a photo on social media surfaced, claiming huge loss at Sainj”, that the incident came to light. The Bekar at Sianj suffered huge damages and 200 bigha of farming land was damaged by the flooding. The latest updates in The Times of India reveals that a total 88 houses and 24 shops along with the huge area of farming land were washed away by the flash floods in Sainj and adjoining areas mainly downstream NHPC’s 520 MW Parbati III dam on July 9 and 10. There are unconfirmed reports claiming entire Sainj market has borne the brunt of the deluge with at least 150 shops suffering damages.

Narrating the incident to local reporters, Babita a lady living in a rented accommodation with her two kids in Sainj market said that she had no information about the flood and managed to save her life in the nick of hour. “I was sleeping and was woken up by my younger son after commotion outside”, said Babita. She saw local people gripped in panic running to save their lives. “We got no time to take out any of the belongings and soon the room was washed away by the floods.

Demanding adequate compensation and rehabilitation an elderly man squarely blamed NHPC for suddenly releasing the water from the dam. “We have lost all our property. The flood is caused by the NHPC dam at Siund”, the elderly is seen talking about the incident before the media persons. Another affected local business man said that even century old houses along the river had been damaged. “They are not able to handle the water of the local dams here, what will happen when the water from Manikaran will come here”, questioned the young man.

Parul Sharma another local lady termed the incident as man-made disaster and alleged that both companies NHPC and Himachal Pradesh Power Corporation Limited’s (HPPCL) 100 Mw Sainj HEP responsible for the immense destruction in Sainj market. As per the local people the deluge stuck during the day time hence there was no human casualty. They felt that if the incident had happened in night hours, there would have been many more human deaths. Scores of outside villagers and migrant workers who had come to Sainj were also affected by the flood spell.

Describing the scale of damages and looming threats on Sainj market a detailed video report by Himachal Abhi Abhi mentions that every second local person in the Sainj has maintained the NHPC’s Parbati III and HPPCL’s Sainj dam mainly responsible for the flood disaster. Local people are also angry at NHPC for never coming out to support disaster rescue work despite earning huge profits from the project.

The affected people have further alleged that the NHPC has irresponsibly dumped construction debris along the Sainj river at several places which was flushed down the river during the flood and caused damages to the properties downstream. The dumped muck also reduced the carrying capacity of the river.

The Amar Ujala, report says that the four member Central Team during their visit to the area on July 21, 2023 looked aghast to witness the enormous damages. The flood has completely changed the riverscape for 20 km between Larji and Sainj mentions the report.  

During the visit, local people and even public representatives have vocally blamed NHPC for ruining their lives and properties by opening dam gates in already swollen river. Another report by the paper has mentioned Ravinesh Kumar, financial advisor, National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) ensuring the affected residents to apprise the home ministry about the NHPC issue.

As per reports, the flood destruction has affected at least seven village panchayats along the Pin Parbati river in Sainj Valley. Moreover, there are new reports disclosing the gross violation of rules by NHPC in the construction of Parbati III dam project which has now proven a recipe for the disaster for several local villages.

In one such case, the Bihali villagers have filed a complaint with the Tehsildar against NHPC for dumping by Parbati project near the village leading to change in the course of river thus creating flood threats for the village. Similarly, several homes of Soti village have developed cracks after the rainfall and flood destruction. The villagers have said that NHPC had dangerously widened the project road at the base of the village which has now been causing landslips and cracks in homes of the villagers.

Apart from demanding rehabilitation, homes and sources of livelihoods, the flood affected residents have been raising the issue of NHPC’s criminal negligence for the past three weeks. As per Times of India, Aug 2, 2023 report, the local people have approached the police against the staff of the NHPC and have also written to the Chief Minister, demanding an inquiry against the NHPC.

Bhim Singh Rawat (bhim.sandrp@gmail.com)

Source: https://sandrp.in/2023/08/09/himachalis-blame-nhpc-dams-for-flood-disaster-in-sainj-valley-in-july-2023/