Tanahun, October 11, 2026. The Tanahun Hydropower Project has conducted a disaster simulation drill at the main dam construction site to reduce potential disaster risks, ensure the safety of personnel, and facilitate effective rescue and response during emergencies.
The drill was conducted under the Emergency Response Sub-Plan of the project’s River Safety Management Plan. It targeted personnel working under Package 1 (Headworks) and Package 2 (Main Tunnel, powerhouse, associated structures, and related equipment).
During the exercise, participants practised safety precautions to be adopted during potential disasters, immediate rescue procedures, evacuation to safe locations, and effective coordination during emergencies.
The simulation drill was attended by the Managing Director of Tanahu Hydropower Limited (THL), the project manager and other officials, officers from the Kalibhanjan Battalion of the Nepali Army based in Damauli, representatives of the Project Supervision Consultant (PSC), the environmental and social management service provider, and construction contractors.
Speaking at the programme, THL Managing Director Chhabilal Gaire emphasised the importance of preparedness, timely information dissemination, and an effective rescue system in disaster management. He stated that the project has accorded high priority to the safety of personnel working at the construction site and the mitigation of potential risks.
He noted that such exercises play an important role in enabling prompt decision-making during disasters, ensuring coordination among concerned agencies, and minimising loss of human life.
Gaire further stated that the project’s commitment extends beyond ensuring the safety of personnel at the construction site. Various programmes are also being conducted to raise awareness among communities living downstream of the dam about potential floods and other risks and to help them remain safe during emergencies.
The project has installed 17 sirens to ensure the timely dissemination of information about potential risks from the dam site through the downstream areas to the confluence of the Seti and Trishuli rivers. Similarly, information boards have been placed at 10 locations to inform people about the need to move to safe areas during floods and the precautions to take in emergencies.
The project has been integrating disaster risk reduction into its construction management practices. Through regular simulation drills, emergency response preparedness, strengthening of the early warning system, and awareness programmes for downstream communities, the project remains committed to ensuring the safety of construction personnel and local residents alike.
