On October 27, a spokesperson for the Subansiri Lower Project said the flow downstream was “highly reduced” to an estimated 5-10 cubic metres per second (cumecs) after a landslide “at about 11.30 am” blocked the only DT in use.
There are 81 large hydropower projects across ten states and two Union Territories in the Himalayan region, which is prone to active earthquakes. 32 are under construction and 320 big projects are in.
Monday’s landslide, the NHPC said, did not impact any project components or structure and would not further delay in commissioning the two units by June 2023.
Videos captured by locals on Monday showed soil and boulders crashing down a hillside that has been cut for construction alongside where work is underway on the Subansiri Lower Hydroelectric Project at Gerukamukh in Assam’s Dhemaji district.