Five Workers Missing as Dam Water Floods Gujarat Hydropower Plant

Quick Summary

• Five workers are feared dead after water from the Mahi river flooded a hydropower plant in Lunawada, Gujarat’s Mahisagar district, on September 4, 2025.
• The incident occurred at Dolatpura plant around 3 p.m. when water was suddenly released from the upstream kadana dam adn rushed into a deep well where workers were conducting maintenance.
• Of the 15 workers present during the incident, ten managed to escape while five were swept away by the floodwaters.
• District Superintendent of Police Safin Hasan stated rescue operations have been underway involving personnel from National and State Disaster Response Forces (NDRF/SDRF), fire brigades from Vadodara and Mahisagar districts, and local swimmers.
• The rescue teams face challenges due to poor visibility caused by oil and grease in the deep tank where underwater search efforts are required.

Indian Opinion Analysis

This tragic incident underlines critical operational vulnerabilities associated with hydropower plants located near active river systems, especially in scenarios involving sudden water discharge from upstream dams.While maintenance work is essential for plant functionality, it also necessitates stringent safety protocols when extreme environmental conditions may arise unexpectedly.

The multi-agency response showcases India’s capacity for disaster management coordination across national and state bodies alongside local expertise such as swimmers; however, prolonged challenges-like ineffective pumping out of water due to continuous leaks-suggest deeper infrastructural risks that need assessment beyond immediate rescue needs.Furthermore, this crisis spotlighted communication gaps regarding dam discharge timing that could save lives during similar emergencies in industrial zones reliant on waterways. Strengthening such predictive measures will remain essential to prevent future casualties during routine or emergency procedures.Read more: The Hindu