Fire breaks out in powerhouse of Srisailam hydroelectric plant in Telangana, 9 feared trapped; thick smoke hampers rescue effort

HYDERABAD: A fire, followed by an explosion, was reported at underground hydroelectric power station situated at Srisailam’s dam left bank canal in Nagarkurnool district of Telangana. The incident is reported to have taken place late on Thursday.

Initial reports indicate that a short circuit led to the fire and thick smoke engulfing the spot.

Of the 17 persons reported to be present at the spot, 8 persons escaped to safety through a tunnel whereas the remaining nine are believed to be trapped inside the complex. Those trapped include six TS Genco employees and three private company employees.

Firefighters are at the spot and carrying out the rescue operation. Officials said thick smoke which has been billowing due to the fire is hampering rescue operations.

Telangana minister Jagadish Reddy and TS Genco CMD Prabhakar Rao are at the spot and are overseeing rescue efforts. Reddy said that the mishap occurred in the first unit of the power station and four panels were damaged. He said that rescue personnel was unable to enter the tunnel due to thick smoke.

CM Sri K Chandrashekhar Rao expressed his shock over the Srisailam power station fire mishap. The Chief Minister is in touch with concerned officials and is taking updates on a regular basis. 

Sources said that CM Rao has instructed officials to evacuate all workers who are trapped inside the plant. He also spoke to minister Sri Jagdeesh Reddy and Transco, Genco CMD Sri D Prabhakar Rao, who are at the site, and reviewed relief measures taken so far.

Rescue personnel are being brought in from the Singareni collieries to support the rescue operations. Power generation operations at the power station have been suspended following the incident.

The Srisailam dam is located across the Krishna river which serves as the border between Telangana and Andhra Pradesh.