Northeast Desk, 4th March: Amid concerns regarding the safety of mega hydro projects, especially in Arunachal Pradesh, the NHPC (National Hydroelectric Power Corporation) has issued a press release to reassure the public about the existing safety measures. This statement follows growing apprehensions following the Glacial Lake Outburst Flood (GLOF) incident in the Teesta Valley in October 2023.
The GLOF incident in the Teesta Valley, originating from South Lhonak Lake, prompted a thorough reevaluation of dam safety protocols. However, NHPC emphasized the technical disparities between the Teesta Basin and the regions housing their projects in Arunachal Pradesh.
NHPC highlighted that most glacial lakes in Subansiri, Siang, and Dibang river catchments are situated in distant Chinese territories, thereby minimizing the threat of GLOF-induced floods to NHPC projects. Additionally, the topographic and catchment characteristics of Arunachal Pradesh significantly differ from those of the Teesta Basin, thereby reducing the risk of similar events.
Through detailed analysis, NHPC identified several key factors contributing to the safety of its projects in Arunachal Pradesh. Factors such as the remote location of glacial lakes, gentle river slopes, and substantial reservoir capacities ensure effective flood attenuation and absorption. Moreover, all proposed dams in these regions are concrete structures, inherently resilient against failure.
NHPC provided basin-wise project details, showcasing the robustness of safety measures implemented. Projects like the Subansiri Upper Project (SUP), Subansiri Lower Project (SLP), Kamla HE Project (KHEP), Siang Upper dam, and Dibang dam demonstrate high levels of resilience against potential GLOF events.
In the press release, NHPC cautioned against drawing parallels between the Teesta Basin incident and future eventualities in Arunachal Pradesh. The corporation stressed the importance of considering catchment-specific features and project capabilities while assessing safety measures.
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