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Tunnel Accident in Chamoli: Landslide Kills 9 Workers, 6 Missing; NDRF Rescue Operation Underway Using Blue Drums
A severe accident occurred on Thursday (August 13) evening in the tail-race tunnel of the Vishnugad-Pipalkoti hydroelectric project, currently under construction on the Alaknanda River in Uttarakhand's Chamoli district. While work was in progress inside the tunnel, a massive landslide triggered an immense surge of water and debris to rush in. Nine workers lost their lives in the tragedy, and six remain missing.
According to reports, rescue operations are facing significant hurdles as the tunnel is filled with water and sludge up to neck-level. Teams from the NDRF and local administration are navigating through the water using blue drums for support.
How did the incident occur?
The accident took place around 6:45 PM on Thursday. Approximately 70 percent of the work on this 444-megawatt project, being developed by THDC-NTPC, has been completed. The tunnel is 3.5 km long; the accident occurred while 'gravity packing' and centering work was underway about 1.8 km inside.
An eyewitness worker from Jharkhand recounted, "Suddenly, there was a loud blast, and water and debris began rushing in from the upper section of the tunnel. No one had a chance to react. Everyone was thrown about, and chaos and screaming ensued." More than 25 workers were inside the tunnel at the time of the incident. Most of them hail from Bihar, Jharkhand, and Chhattisgarh.
Rescue Operations and Casualty Details
The bodies of nine workers have been recovered, and a search operation for the remaining six is ??ongoing. Ten workers are undergoing treatment at the Gopeshwar District Hospital, while one is being treated in Srinagar and another in Pipalkoti. One injured worker has been discharged. Rescue operations halted overnight, now resumed
NDRF Assistant Commandant Alok Jayra stated that the rescue operation was temporarily suspended overnight due to the presence of large amounts of mud and water inside the tunnel. The risk was further heightened by a lack of oxygen within the tunnel. Operations resumed with renewed vigor on Friday morning. A special raft has been requisitioned from Srinagar Garhwal to assist in the search for the six individuals.
Assurance from the Project Director
Project Director Sharad Kumar expressed grief over the accident, describing it as extremely unfortunate. He stated, "Our top priority is to safely rescue all the trapped individuals. All necessary resources have been mobilized for this purpose. Assistance will be provided to the affected families, and a detailed inquiry into the incident will be conducted."
A severe accident occurred on Thursday (August 13) evening in the tail-race tunnel of the Vishnugad-Pipalkoti hydroelectric project, currently under construction on the Alaknanda River in Uttarakhand's Chamoli district. While work was in progress inside the tunnel, a massive landslide triggered an immense surge of water and debris to rush in. Nine workers lost their lives in the tragedy, and six remain missing.
According to reports, rescue operations are facing significant hurdles as the tunnel is filled with water and sludge up to neck-level. Teams from the NDRF and local administration are navigating through the water using blue drums for support.
How did the incident occur?
The accident took place around 6:45 PM on Thursday. Approximately 70 percent of the work on this 444-megawatt project, being developed by THDC-NTPC, has been completed. The tunnel is 3.5 km long; the accident occurred while 'gravity packing' and centering work was underway about 1.8 km inside.
An eyewitness worker from Jharkhand recounted, "Suddenly, there was a loud blast, and water and debris began rushing in from the upper section of the tunnel. No one had a chance to react. Everyone was thrown about, and chaos and screaming ensued." More than 25 workers were inside the tunnel at the time of the incident. Most of them hail from Bihar, Jharkhand, and Chhattisgarh.
Rescue Operations and Casualty Details
The bodies of nine workers have been recovered, and a search operation for the remaining six is ??ongoing. Ten workers are undergoing treatment at the Gopeshwar District Hospital, while one is being treated in Srinagar and another in Pipalkoti. One injured worker has been discharged. Rescue operations halted overnight, now resumed
NDRF Assistant Commandant Alok Jayra stated that the rescue operation was temporarily suspended overnight due to the presence of large amounts of mud and water inside the tunnel. The risk was further heightened by a lack of oxygen within the tunnel. Operations resumed with renewed vigor on Friday morning. A special raft has been requisitioned from Srinagar Garhwal to assist in the search for the six individuals.
Assurance from the Project Director
Project Director Sharad Kumar expressed grief over the accident, describing it as extremely unfortunate. He stated, "Our top priority is to safely rescue all the trapped individuals. All necessary resources have been mobilized for this purpose. Assistance will be provided to the affected families, and a detailed inquiry into the incident will be conducted."
According to reports, rescue operations are facing significant hurdles as the tunnel is filled with water and sludge up to neck-level. Teams from the NDRF and local administration are navigating through the water using blue drums for support.
How did the incident occur?
The accident took place around 6:45 PM on Thursday. Approximately 70 percent of the work on this 444-megawatt project, being developed by THDC-NTPC, has been completed. The tunnel is 3.5 km long; the accident occurred while 'gravity packing' and centering work was underway about 1.8 km inside.
An eyewitness worker from Jharkhand recounted, "Suddenly, there was a loud blast, and water and debris began rushing in from the upper section of the tunnel. No one had a chance to react. Everyone was thrown about, and chaos and screaming ensued." More than 25 workers were inside the tunnel at the time of the incident. Most of them hail from Bihar, Jharkhand, and Chhattisgarh.
Rescue Operations and Casualty Details
The bodies of nine workers have been recovered, and a search operation for the remaining six is ??ongoing. Ten workers are undergoing treatment at the Gopeshwar District Hospital, while one is being treated in Srinagar and another in Pipalkoti. One injured worker has been discharged. Rescue operations halted overnight, now resumed
NDRF Assistant Commandant Alok Jayra stated that the rescue operation was temporarily suspended overnight due to the presence of large amounts of mud and water inside the tunnel. The risk was further heightened by a lack of oxygen within the tunnel. Operations resumed with renewed vigor on Friday morning. A special raft has been requisitioned from Srinagar Garhwal to assist in the search for the six individuals.
Assurance from the Project Director
Project Director Sharad Kumar expressed grief over the accident, describing it as extremely unfortunate. He stated, "Our top priority is to safely rescue all the trapped individuals. All necessary resources have been mobilized for this purpose. Assistance will be provided to the affected families, and a detailed inquiry into the incident will be conducted."
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