Uttarakhand Tunnel Mishap: Landslide Traps 22 Workers, Rescue Underway
A landslide triggered a surge of debris and water into an under-construction hydropower tunnel in Uttarakhand's Chamoli district, trapping 22 workers. As of Thursday evening, 18 had been rescued, with ongoing operations for the remaining individuals.
Key takeaways
- A landslide on Thursday evening led to a surge of debris and water in an Uttarakhand tunnel, trapping 22 workers.
- Eighteen workers have been rescued from the under-construction THDC India tunnel in Chamoli district.
- Rescue operations are ongoing for the remaining trapped individuals, involving NDRF and SDRF teams.
- Uttarakhand Chief Minister has directed officials to prioritize the safe evacuation of all workers.
An under-construction tunnel for a hydropower project in Uttarakhand's Chamoli district became the site of a rescue operation Thursday evening after a landslide caused a substantial influx of debris and water. The incident occurred at the THDC India tunnel near Pipalkoti, trapping 22 workers who were on duty.
What Happened
The landslide occurred around 6:30 PM to 6:45 PM, leading to a sudden surge of debris and water into the 3-kilometer-long tail-race tunnel. The influx entered approximately 1.5 kilometers from the tunnel's entrance, trapping workers from the shift in operation. By Thursday evening, authorities reported that 18 out of the 22 trapped individuals had been rescued, with search and rescue efforts continuing for the remaining four.
Key Facts
- A landslide caused a surge of debris and water into an under-construction THDC India tunnel near Pipalkoti in Uttarakhand’s Chamoli district on Thursday evening.
- Twenty-two workers were trapped inside the tunnel.
- Eighteen workers have been rescued so far.
- The debris and water entered the 3-km-long tail-race tunnel at a point around 1.5 km from its mouth.
- Chamoli District Magistrate Gaurav Kumar stated the incident occurred around 6:30 or 6:45 PM.
- Police reported the incident occurred around 7:05pm with 22 workers inside.
- The National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) and State Disaster Response Force (SDRF) teams are engaged in rescue operations.
- Uttarakhand Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami directed officials to oversee relief and rescue efforts at a war footing.
- Vinod Kumar Suman, secretary of disaster management and rehabilitation, confirmed that agencies were directed to coordinate and expedite operations.
Background
The tunnel is part of a hydropower project belonging to THDC India. The Chamoli District Magistrate, Gaurav Kumar, confirmed that the tunnel is under construction. Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami emphasized that the government's top priority is the safe evacuation of all trapped individuals, directing that all necessary resources be deployed and that there be no laxity in the rescue efforts.
Sources reviewed
Project Chintan independently synthesized and analyzed information cross-checked across the sources listed above.
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