20-Ft Breach In Thermal Plant Ash Pond In Odisha’s Jharsuguda; Slurry Floods Farmland

Jharsuguda: A breach in an ash pond of the thermal plant of the Odisha Power Generation Corporation (OPGC) allegedly led to flooding of farmland with slurry in some villages in Jharsuguda district on Saturday.

As per information, the 20-ft breach has occurred in No. 3 ash pond of the OPGC plant. As a result, agricultural land in at least three villages including Lakhanpur’s Rengali got flooded with slurry, creating panic among locals. Crops over several acres of land have reportedly been damaged.

The breach led to collapse of the ash bund wall which in turn led to flooding of toxic slurry towards areas in the vicinity. While the ash water flooded farmlands on the outskirts of Saradhapali, the slurry entered the village.

As the areas submerged with slurry, fear gripped local residents. Sources said many people geared up to leave the village with their belongings as the ash water gushed in.

Senior OPGC officials were not immediately available for comment. Details are awaited.