"July 2024: NMDC’s Iron Ore ‘Check-Dam’ Flood Disaster in Chhattisgarh", 26 July 2024

An iron ore check-dam of the National Mineral Development Corporation (NDMC) has breached and created flood disaster in downstream area of Kirandul town in Dantewada district of Chhattisgarh. The breach of earthen dam located between mines 11 B & 11 in eastern ridge of Bailadila range occurred … following heavy rainfall.

The subsequent deluge has affected several homes and vehicles in Bengali camp located downhill the dam in Kirandul town. There was chaos among the residents who fled to their safety seeing the flash flood. A six-year-old kid on his way to attend tuition class was washed away. The child was later rescued safely and hospitalized as per the Amar Ujala report.

At least 150-200 homes in low lying areas were impacted by the deluge carrying iron ore sludge and affected residents were shifted to community center known as Mangal Bhavan, mentions the Nai Duniya report. The ETV Bharat report states that the flood occurred due to collapse of a part of the dam which also flooded NMDC plant in Kirandul. A short video clip in the report shows red soil sludge gushing through the local roads in the area.

As per a local media report, the NMDC initially denied any breach in the dam and termed the reports as misleading. As per the NMDC management, the flood in the area was due to heavy rains. The Public Relations Department, Chhattisgarh press release also covered the incident without revealing the reason behind the breach and overall impact of the deluge..

.. Regarding media reports blaming NMDC for negligence and whether the district administration has probed the role of corporation, we also contacted Mayank Chaturvedi, District Collector (DC) Dantewada around noon ....