Pipalkoti: Relief and rescue operations continued throughout the night following the incident in which debris and water entered the under-construction THDC tunnel at Mayapur. Of the 22 people trapped inside the tunnel, 19 have so far been safely rescued, while the search for the remaining three continues. All six rescue personnel who entered the tunnel to assist in the relief and rescue operation are also safe. Seven people have reportedly died in the accident so far.
The TRT tunnel of THDC’s Vishnugad-Pipalkoti Hydroelectric Project is approximately three kilometres long. Due to ground subsidence, debris and water entered a section of about 1.5 kilometres of the tunnel, trapping some of the people working inside.
The district administration continued the rescue operation throughout the night. District Magistrate Gaurav Kumar remained at the site and personally monitored the operation. He continuously sought updates from officials and rescue teams and directed them to ensure the effective use of all necessary resources and technical assistance to safely evacuate the remaining three people.
The injured persons rescued from the tunnel have been brought to the District Hospital in Gopeshwar for treatment. Doctors and Health Department teams are continuously monitoring their treatment and health condition.
The National Disaster Response Force (NDRF), State Disaster Response Force (SDRF), Indo-Tibetan Border Police (ITBP), police and other technical and specialist teams are engaged in the rescue operation. Amid the challenges posed by debris and water inside the tunnel, the rescue teams are proceeding with the operation with extreme caution and close coordination.
The district administration is maintaining continuous monitoring of the entire situation. Safely evacuating the remaining people, providing treatment to the injured and ensuring other necessary arrangements have been given the highest priority by the administration.
