The breach caused spillage on several acres of agricultural fields

Two people died and four were missing after a dyke of a fly ash pond of Reliance’s Sasan Ultra Mega Power Project in Singrauli breached on Friday evening, causing spillage on several acres of agricultural fields.

“The breach occurred owing to the negligence of the plant. There are no villages which have been directly affected, and the ash has flown through a channel to the Rihand dam,” said Singrauli District Collector K.V.S. Choudary.

The bodies of the two were found at a distance from the breach site. “A National Disaster Response Force team from Varanasi of 30 rescuers is searching for the missing,” said Mr. Choudary. Those swept away were inside their houses, near the pond, at the time of the incident.

The administration would conduct a survey of the damaged areas and secure compensation for those affected from the power project, he added.

After the incident, the district administration ordered the affected villagers be provided with immediate relief, including shelter and food.

“Three months ago, we staged a sit-in for 24 days outside the Reliance plant. We flagged the breach could happen any time to the authorities. Reliance had given in writing that it won’t happen. And even the administration had verified it,” said a local.

In a statement, Sasan Power Limited said, “We are deeply anguished by the incident involving the break in the ash dump yard wall at our Sasan Power Plant. The break in ash dump yard wall pushed the water, leading to break in the boundary wall affecting some thatched houses and minor land parcel.”

It said the firm was investigating the matter. “The power plant operations continue as the relief and restoration work is not affected by the same. We are closely working with locals and the district administration in relief and restoration work,” it said.

In October last year, a similar breach occurred near a power plant of the National Thermal Power Corporation in the district. Mr. Choudary then had asked all coal-based power plants to strengthen their dykes.