Chamoli: Seven people were declared dead out of the 19 people rescued and brought to the District Hospital in Gopeshwar from an under-construction tunnel of the Tehri Hydro Development Corporation Limited (THDC) at Pipalkoti in Chamoli, where several workers were trapped after water and debris entered the tunnel, officials said on Friday (August 14).
Water was also entering from the sides, making the operation difficult. “After our team arrived and began the operation, there was a massive volume of water in the tunnel. Our personnel, using specialised equipment, have recovered four bodies from the water so far.
He said the accident took place around 7 pm after a cavity formed due to the sudden influx of water. Because continuous rain had been forecast for several days, but the incident occurred suddenly despite safety precautions being followed, he added that officials had considered stopping work. The accident occurred at around 7 pm when a sudden influx of water caused a cavity to form inside the tunnel, bringing mud and debris with it. Officials said around 20 to 22 workers were inside the tunnel when the incident happened. He said debris collapsed into the tail-race tunnel after a sudden influx of water, trapping around 20 to 22 workers.
NDRF Team Commander Amrit Lal Meena said the rescue teams found a large amount of water inside the tunnel when they reached the site. The rescue operation is still underway and will continue until everyone is retrieved,” he told ANI. THDC Executive Director (Projects) Kumar Sharad said the workers had been carrying out work at the hydroelectric project when the accident took place. THDC Executive Director (Projects) Kumar Sharad described the incident as a “major accident” at the hydroelectric project in Pipalkoti, Vishnughat. “Our rescue teams are working to bring out the remaining individuals as soon as possible,” Sharad said, adding that the THDC is providing all possible assistance to the workers.
The water level has risen significantly since then.
