Shillong, March 10: Power Minister Sniawbhalang Dhar today said that the Myntdu-Leshka dam suffered only minor damage due to unprecedented rainfall and sudden rise of water level on February 22. Replying to a question raised by UDP MLA, Jemino Mawthoh in Assembly, Dhar said the damage could not be prevented since there was power
failure at the project.
“Due to power failure, the gates were closed which led to the rise of water level and overflow the dam,” Dhar said.
The Opposition however questioned the State government the manner in which the Myntdu-Leshka dam was built where it could not withstand rainfall and sudden rise of water level. When UDP MLA, Paul Lyngdoh, sought to know the amount of rainfall on that day (February 22), the Minister said that the rainfall received on that particular day was higher compared to rainfall received in the past. Dhar said that the unprecedented rainfall was recorded between
171 mm and 300 mm on that day.
When Mawthoh sought to know the loss incurred, Dhar said that the loss would be known after submission of the final assessment report. Meanwhile Mawthoh said that that right from the time when Myntdu-Leshka project was conceptualized and constructed, the project has received criticisms as the cost of the project was very high and
escalated from Rs 300 crore to over Rs 1,200 crore. Independent MLA, Saleng A Sangma also questioned the manner in which the project was built as the dam could not withstand the unprecedented rainfall despite huge amount was spent.
Sudden rise of water level damages Myntdu-Leshka dam, says Dhar
