NHPC’s Chutak power station submerged

State-run power major NHPC today said its Chutak power station at Kargil in Jammu and Kashmir has been completely shut down due to sudden increase in the water level in unit 3 and 4 of the plant.

“Consequent to sudden increase in water level in unit 3 and 4 on June 28, the Chutak power station is under complete shut-down,” NHPC said in a regulatory filing.

“The de-watering pumps are in operation and the level of water is decreasing,” it added. Chutak power station is a run-of-the-river plant with an installed capacity of 44 MW.

CNS ADDS FROM KARGIL:

Kargil district has been plunged into darkness after the plant shutdown. Reports said that water has entered into the whole power station and all the turbines have stopped functioning from Sunday night.

“Nobody knows how it happened and why the employees didn’t inform the higher ups before hand,” Asghar Ali Karbalai, the local legislator, told CNS.

Eyewitnesses said police and civil administration rushed to the spot after gushing water started entering into the power house. Fire tenders were put in service but they reportedly failed to dewater the power station. The locals informed Chief Engineer NHPC who took stock of the situation. “We have opened up the gate of the barrage of the project that is located at Sarze village. This will ease pressure and flow of the water,” he said.

An NHPC official said that they have started investigating the matter. “It will be premature to say anything in advance. Either it is negligence on part of employees or simply a breach has taken place,” he said. PTI/CNS