Four missing as water pipeline bursts in Assam power plant

Guwahati, October  7 (IANS): Four persons were missing after a water supply line of a hydro power in Assam's Dima Hasao project burst on Monday, leading to heavy flooding of the entire project premises, officials said.

 

Officials said that the pipeline that supplies water to the turbine of the Kopili hydro power project burst due to leakage around 6.30 a.m., triggering a major disaster. The heavy flow of water flooded the entire project area, including the power house where the four persons were present.

 

"The four persons remain missing. A team of the NDRF is already here but failed to do anything as the water level is too high," said Assam State Disaster Management Authority project officer R. Phukan.

 

Run by the state-owned North East Electric and Power Corporation Ltd (NEEPCO), the Kopili hydro power project is one of the major power generation projects in Assam, generating 275 MW of power.

 

NEEPCO Executive Director, Hemanta Deka confirmed the incident but failed to give details about the tragedy.

 

Phukan said that they have also sought help from the Assam Rifles unit located there to deal with the disaster.

 

He said that the NEEPCO authorities are trying reduce the water level but to no avail so far.