Labandag Hydro Power Project’s penstroke burst at Lohardi, authorities investigating the cause

On Friday Labandag Hydro Power Project’s penstroke burst at Lohardi, located on the boundary of Mandi-Kangra district in Himachal Pradesh, flooding Multhan Gram Panchayat under Baijnath subdivision. The flood-like situation submerged Multhan market and roads, inundating homes and shops, prompting the project to halt power generation. The strong water flow damaged farmers’ fertile land and cash crops, causing panic downstream. Last year, a leak occurred, raising concerns about construction quality. The local administration advised downstream residents to stay vigilant. Multhan Panchayat’s deputy head criticized the project management’s negligence and demanded security and compensation. Construction began in 2003, with power generation starting in March 2024. Project manager Devi Singh Chauhan attributed the incident to a sudden tunnel water leak, leading to a precautionary power shutdown and ongoing inspections.

SDM Baijnath Devi Singh Thakur stated that authorities are investigating the cause of the leak.