A devastating fire erupted at the Kolaghat Thermal Power Station in Mecheda on Thursday evening following a severe lightning strike during heavy rain across East Midnapore district. The incident caused the roof of the 210MW unit 3 turbine room to collapse.
Incident Details
The lightning strike occurred around 7pm, igniting a blaze that engulfed the turbine, control room, and boiler. Two workers, Swarnakamal Barman and Kamal Mondal, sustained minor injuries and were discharged after receiving primary treatment. Local police and fire tenders responded swiftly, bringing the flames under control.
Concerns Over Lightning Protection
The incident has raised serious questions about the facility's lightning protection system. This is particularly concerning as unit 3 had recently undergone a renovation costing Rs 150-200 crore. Narayan Chandra Nayak, spokesperson for the Kolaghat Thermal Power Plant Environmental Pollution Prevention Committee, demanded a transparent investigation, noting that the fire completely destroyed the newly upgraded unit.
Investigation Underway
Plant authorities and police have initiated a thorough investigation to assess the structural damage and determine the cause of the fire. The incident highlights vulnerabilities in critical infrastructure during extreme weather events.
