Daijiworld Media Network - Chamoli
Chamoli, Aug 14: Seven workers were killed and 14 others injured after a sudden surge of water and debris entered an under-construction hydro tunnel at the THDC project in Mayapur, Pipalkoti, in Uttarakhand’s Chamoli district on Thursday evening.
The incident occurred around 6.45 pm when a large volume of water and debris suddenly entered the tunnel, trapping workers who were on duty. Of the 22 workers present inside, 21 have been accounted for, while one worker remains trapped.
Rescue operations were launched immediately, with teams from the State Disaster Response Force (SDRF), National Disaster Response Force (NDRF), Army, Indo-Tibetan Border Police (ITBP), District Incident Response Force (DIRF), police and Central Industrial Security Force (CISF) deployed at the site.
Rescue personnel are using heavy machinery to remove the accumulated debris and drain water from the tunnel. SDRF teams are also using improvised drum boats to reach the stranded workers.
The injured workers were shifted to nearby hospitals for treatment. Officials said those in critical condition would be referred to higher medical centres, while others were being treated at Gopeshwar.
Chamoli District Magistrate Gaurav Kumar said the tunnel is part of a THDC hydropower project and that a large volume of water and debris surged into it between 6.30 pm and 6.45 pm.
NDRF and SDRF teams, along with all available machinery, have been pressed into service to rescue those still trapped, he said.
Following the incident, authorities mobilised all available resources and personnel to the site. Rescue teams are continuing their efforts to reach the worker trapped inside the tunnel despite the difficult conditions caused by water and debris.
Uttarakhand Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami is personally monitoring the rescue operation and has directed officials to carry out the operation on a war footing.
Dhami said the government's priority was to ensure the safe evacuation of every worker trapped inside the tunnel. He instructed the district administration and concerned departments to work in close coordination and ensure that there was no delay in the rescue efforts.
The Chief Minister also spoke to the Chief Ministers of Jharkhand and Chhattisgarh regarding the incident, as several of the workers are understood to be from these states.
Authorities have not yet ascertained the exact cause of the sudden inflow of water and debris into the tunnel.
Rescue operations remain underway as teams continue efforts to evacuate the remaining worker.