Bhubaneswar, July 3 -- A breach in an NTPC ash pond at Derang in Kaniha block of Odisha's Angul district led to ash slurry entering nearby areas following heavy rainfall on Thursday night.

The incident reportedly occurred after a section of the ash pond gave way, allowing ash-laden water to flow into the surrounding areas.

According to reports, the ash slurry entered a nearby village and spread to a playground, surrounding agricultural land and the nearby Tikira River. No official information regarding the extent of the impact was immediately available.

However, NTPC officials said that only a small portion of the ash pond embankment was breached. However, they stated that the affected section measured around 20-30 feet in width and ne...