Leakage in Hindalco's ash pond

The ash pond of aluminium smelter and power complex of Hindalco at Hirakud on Thursday developed cracks with overflowing ash mixed water inundating large chunk of agricultural land in the nearby villages.

This is the second such accident involving the company within a month.

Following incessant rains last night, the ash pond of the company’s power plant at Hirakud developed a breach resulting in flow of ash slurry into the nearby paddy fields at Budhakanta. The ash pond slippage sparked panic among the local villagers.

Earlier on August 7, the ash pond had developed a similar breach following which the irate villagers had gheroed the sub collector’s office. “There is no breach in the ash pond, it is just a seepage due to the downpour last night. Our officials are already working on it”, said a Hindalco official.