Uttarakhand Avalanche: JPVL Closes 400 MW Vishnuprayag Hydro Electric Project

Jaypee Group’s Jaiprakash Power Venture Ltd (JPVL) has closed its 400 MW Vishnuprayag Hydro Electric Project (VHEP) as a precaution due to flash floods in the Chamoli district of Uttarakhand.

In this regard, the company has issued a statement stating that “on 7/2/2021 an unusual event took place in the river basin of Dhauli Ganga in District Chamoli (Uttarakhand) between 9.30 am to 11 am. Unfortunately, a Glacier plunged in Raine village of Dist Chamoli causing river to rise rapidly leading to swollen river level for some time which caused damage to life, property and projects falling in direct contact of flow of the river.”

JPVL has 400 MW VHEP project with its barrage over Alaknanda river, and project’s Tail Race Tunnel discharging water in river DhauliGanga.

As a responsible corporate operating in Uttarakhand for over 30 years, the company said that “we are saddened by this tragedy caused due to events beyond the control of all and an act of nature.”

The company clarified that “sudden development of the Force Majeure event led to the closure of the power generation.”

River water gushed in through the Tail Race Tunnel of the project bringing with it the slush.

JPVL further added that “it is analysing all aspects and assessing the time to bring back the project to its pre closure status (operations were stopped at 11 am on 7th Feb due to this tragic Glacier event).”

“We remain confident that VHEP will be resuming operations after completing the cleaning / and checking all aspects in a few days,” it added.

However, the company also mentioned that it is providing full assistance & assurance to the District Authorities since 7th Feb in relief operations and will continue to provide all humanitarian aid.