Korba: The senior management of NTPC has stated they planned and brought down the ash dam at Dhanras. It was decided to avoid a serious breach had the dam not been dismantled in advance, as the situation would have posed a deep threat. It is noteworthy that this action was taken by the company management. Four days of rain in the district has led to a situation where water has entered many localities, and rivers and stream systems are overflowing. Owing to the enormous rainfall for several days, the NTPC’s Dhanras ash dam was on the brink of breaching at any given time since it was filled to the brim. Until the experts advised the NTPC management perhaps due to potential damages that may be caused by the coming of outsiders, the team had to pull down the dam.
Late in the night, the mishap took place, which resulted in people being panic out. When the villagers were informed of this, they ran to the scene to receive information about the ordeal. As mentioned earlier, over 40 acres of agricultural land around the terrain was touched by the ash spread, which may be catastrophic to the growers.
The Public Relations Officer of NTPC, Usha Ghosh, said that the ash dam of Dhanras: located in the Korba plant of the NTPC is completely safe. She said that due to the state of emergency primarily aroused by excessive rainfall, water is let through an altered course in order to primarily spare the ash dam. Part of this water percolated into the fields of the villagers living on the lower grounds.
Ghosh added that NTPC officials are always at the ash dam. Six officials of NTPC were present during the incident. The management of NTPC has always been highly sensitive and protective of the interests of the families affected by the ash dam project.
The local authorities and NTPC are now able to estimate the losses and organize help for the farmers who are interested. Some are being taken for the removal of the ash from the fields and the rehabilitation of the farmland as is possible.
Check here for the latest updates in Hindi!