Munish Sood
MANDI: The Malana-I hydropower project located in Kullu district of Himachal Pradesh, already in the spotlight for severe structural damage during last year’s flash floods, has once again been hit by disaster.
Intense rainfall and sudden flooding in Parvati Valley have led to a partial breach of the cofferdam constructed as part of the project. Heavy machinery, including a Hydra machine, a dumper, a rock breaker and a vehicle, were swept away in the deluge. No loss of life has been reported in the incident.
The Malana-I project has been under scrutiny due to recurring failures during extreme weather. In last year’s cloudburst-triggered floods, the dam suffered massive damage: portions of the gravity dam collapsed, intake and desilting chambers were destroyed, access roads and bridges were washed away and all control rooms and support infrastructure were rendered inoperative.
The project’s delayed response in opening floodgates during that incident was widely criticised, especially in contrast with the nearby Malana-II project, which managed to avoid such large-scale losses.
This year’s damage has once again raised serious concerns over dam safety and preparedness in ecologically fragile regions. Experts have called for a comprehensive structural audit and better emergency protocols for hydropower projects operating in the vulnerable Himalayan belt.
Flash floods, continuous rain batter Himachal
While the situation at Malana-I is alarming in itself, it is part of a much larger crisis unfolding across Himachal Pradesh. Relentless rainfall over the past several days has triggered widespread flash floods, landslides and infrastructure breakdowns throughout the state.
In Kullu district, the Parvati river has swelled dangerously due to ongoing rain, with reports of temporary bridges being swept away and several roads damaged by landslides. The District Disaster Management Authority has urged residents to remain cautious and avoid venturing near rivers, streams, or landslide-prone areas.
Another flash flood was reported near Jispa in Lahaul-Spiti, disrupting traffic along the critical Keylong-Darcha-Sarchu-Leh route. Panic spread among local residents and travelers, although no casualties have been reported. The Border Roads Organisation has deployed teams to restore connectivity.
Widespread disruption across the state
The Meteorological Department has issued a yellow alert for heavy rainfall across the state, particularly from August 2 to August 5. Districts under high alert include Mandi, Shimla, Solan, Sirmaur, Chamba, Kangra, Una, Bilaspur and Hamirpur. Though the rain is expected to continue on August 6 and 7, no special alerts have been issued for those days.
The continuous downpour has led to the closure of 283 roads, including two national highways. One national highway each in Mandi and Lahaul-Spiti districts has been rendered inoperable. Additionally, 314 power transformers and 221 drinking water supply schemes are currently non-functional, severely affecting daily life in many areas.
Wake-up call for infrastructure in fragile zones
The repeated failure of the Malana-I dam, in combination with the extensive damage caused by this season’s monsoon, has once again highlighted the urgent need for robust disaster preparedness, real-time monitoring and better engineering standards in the Himalayan region.
As the state braces for more rain, the administration remains on high alert, with teams mobilized for relief and restoration work. However, the recurring pattern of infrastructure failure is a stark reminder that temporary fixes will no longer suffice in the face of changing climate realities.
