Following the incident, angry locals diverted water from the central canal to the river. After the canal was closed, electricity generation with a capacity of 10.05 megawatts has been halted since 11 am.
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Locals are outraged after a body being prepared for burial was swept away when the dam at the Indus Hydropower Distribution Center, Lamosanghu, was suddenly opened without prior notice on Sunday afternoon.
After the incident, angry locals diverted water sent to the central canal towards the river. After the canal was closed, the 10.05 MW capacity electricity generation has been stopped since 11 am.
According to Bishwa Bikram Bohara, leader of Tripurasundari Rural Municipality-6, the production was stopped due to the common decision of the locals not to pour water into the canal until a written agreement is reached. When the pilgrims were preparing the pyre at Balka Ghat after the death of Ratna Bahadur Bohara, a sudden flood swept away both the pyre and the body when the dam was opened.
After the flood, the pilgrims were forced to flee to the shore to save their lives. Even though the body was swept away twice, the locals searched for it and performed the last rites. After the incident, the victim and the locals have been accusing the hydroelectric power station of repeated negligence for years.
They have complained about the repeated opening of dams without prior notice, uncontrolled release of water into canals and settlements, continuous damage to agriculture and structures, and non-implementation of past commitments. Locals have said that the under-construction structure has been washed away twice due to canal erosion and more than 100 meters of damage has been caused.
The dispute has escalated after a long discussion between locals and Gunakar Lamichhane, a representative of the administration branch of the hydropower center, failed to reach a written agreement on Sunday. Locals have put forward demands for immediate implementation of the system of not opening dams without prior notice, ensuring that uncontrolled water and waste do not damage ghats, cemeteries and settlements, settling past compensation and damage fairly, constructing permanent structures such as embankments and walls, and providing materials for the under-construction toll roads and canals on time.
Locals are insisting that coordination, regular information flow and an emergency warning system should be made mandatory in the operation of the dam immediately, said Tripurasundari Rural Municipality Chairman Bhakta Dhawaj Bohara. “The locals have warned that they will intensify their agitation and lockout programs if an agreement is not reached,” he said.
