A major fire broke out at the Machkund Hydroelectric Project in Odisha's Koraput district on Saturday, officials confirmed. The incident occurred around noon, and the flames were brought under control by approximately 4 PM. Four employees were trapped inside and suffered breathing difficulties due to dense smoke, but they were promptly rescued.
Cause of the Fire
According to preliminary reports, the blaze originated in the turbine section of the facility. A government statement attributed the fire to the bursting of a current transformer that was supplying power to the local area. Subsequently, connected cables caught fire, and the flames rapidly spread through the cable gallery to the powerhouse, damaging electrical and allied equipment.
Impact on Operations
All six power generation units were operational at the time of the incident. However, they were safely shut down, and all personnel present were evacuated without any casualties. Initial assessments indicate that restoration work and resumption of power generation may take more than six months.
Rescue and Medical Response
An official stated, "Four workers reportedly got trapped and suffered breathing difficulties after dense smoke engulfed the area. They were immediately rescued by fellow staff and emergency responders and shifted to the community health centre at Lamtaput." The condition of the injured workers is being closely monitored.
About the Machkund Hydroelectric Project
The 120 MW Machkund Hydroelectric Project is one of the major power generation facilities in southern Odisha. However, the management, operation, and administrative control of the powerhouse lie with the Andhra Pradesh government and AP Power Generation Corporation (APGENCO). APGENCO will carry out a detailed assessment of the extent of the damage, following which necessary repair and replacement works will be undertaken.
The incident has raised concerns about safety protocols at the facility, and authorities are expected to conduct a thorough investigation to prevent future occurrences.
