Chamoli, August 14: Rescue operations continue in Chamoli district, Uttarakhand, following a landslide and flooding incident in the under-construction THDC tunnel located in Mayapur (Pipalkoti). The district administration has been working tirelessly throughout the night to ensure the safety of those trapped. District Magistrate Gaurav Kumar is personally overseeing the rescue efforts at the site.
The TRC tunnel of the Vishnugad-Pipalkoti hydroelectric project spans approximately 3 kilometers. A landslide has caused debris and water to accumulate in about 1.5 kilometers of the tunnel, trapping several workers inside.
Reports indicate that a total of 22 individuals were trapped in the tunnel. As of now, 19 people have been successfully rescued during the ongoing operations, while efforts to locate the remaining three continue. Six rescue workers who entered the tunnel to assist have also been reported safe. Unfortunately, seven fatalities have been confirmed so far.
The injured have been transported to the district hospital in Gopeshwar for treatment, where medical teams are closely monitoring their conditions. Dr. Ayush from the Gopeshwar district hospital stated, “We have received a total of 19 individuals from THDC. Seven have been declared dead, while 13 are currently hospitalized and their conditions are relatively stable.”
Rescue teams, including NDRF, SDRF, ITBP, and local police, are present at the site, working with extreme caution and coordination amidst the challenges posed by debris and water in the tunnel.
NDRF team commander Amrit Lal Meena reported, “Our team arrived from Gauchar. Upon receiving the information, we dispatched our team within five minutes. We reached the site at 8:45 PM and commenced operations at 8:55 PM. Our quick response team included six rescuers who were the first to enter the tunnel, where water levels were chest-high.”
He further explained that the team navigated through the tunnel to reach the incident site, where individuals were trapped in the water. They managed to recover the bodies of four individuals during the rescue.
District Magistrate Gaurav Kumar has been in constant communication with officials and rescue teams, ensuring that all necessary resources and technical support are effectively utilized to safely extract the remaining individuals. The administration is also coordinating relief efforts and medical assistance for the injured.
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