Tanahun. The Tanahun Hydropower Project has conducted a disaster model exercise at the main dam construction site to reduce the risk of a possible disaster at the construction site, to ensure the safety of human resources and to ensure effective rescue and response in case of emergency.

The human resources working in package-1 (headworks) and package-2 (structures including main tunnel, power house and related equipment) were targeted in the drill conducted as part of the emergency response sub-plan under the river safety management plan of the project.

Security precautions to be adopted during possible disaster, immediate rescue, relocation to safer places and effective coordination methods during emergency were practiced during the exercise.

The pilot exercise was attended by Managing Director, Project Manager and other officials of Tanahun Hydropower Limited (THL), officials of Kalibhanjan Battalion of Nepal Army, Project Supervision Consultant (PSC), Environmental and Social Management Service Provider and representatives of construction entrepreneurs.

On the occasion, THL Managing Director Chhabilal Gaire stressed the importance of preparedness, timely information dissemination and effective rescue system in disaster management. He said that such practices would contribute significantly to taking immediate decisions during disasters, coordinating among bodies concerned and minimizing human casualties.

Stating that the commitment of the project is not limited to the safety of the human resources working at the construction site, he said that programs are being implemented to make the communities living downstream of the dam site aware of possible floods and other risks and to stay safe in case of emergency.

The project has installed 17 sirens to disseminate timely information about the potential risks from the dam site to the confluence of the Seti and Trishuli rivers through the downstream area. Similarly, informational hoarding boards have been placed at 10 places to inform about the precautions to be taken in case of floods in the river and to take precautions in case of emergency.

The project has been promoting disaster risk reduction as an integral part of construction management. The project is committed to ensuring the safety of the construction workforce and local residents through regular sampling exercises, emergency response preparedness, strengthening early warning systems and raising awareness among the communities in the downstream areas.