After a landslide blocked the tunnels of Dhauliganga Power Project in Uttarakhand’s Pithoragarh, 19 workers of National Hydroelectric Power Corporation Limited (NHPC) were trapped inside a power house on Sunday, as per media reports.
“Machines have been deployed to remove the debris, and the way will be cleared by evening, after which all the workers will be able to come out,” said Dharchula Deputy District Magistrate Jitendra Verma
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A landslide triggered by heavy rains blocked the path leading to the tunnels of the Dhauliganga power project in the Ealagarh area near Dharchula here in the district.
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The work of clearing the way is underway with the help of JCB machines of the Border Roads Organisation, despite the continuous falling of debris, he said. Verma said that all the workers are safe and they will come out after the way to the power house is opened.
He also said that power generation from the power project is continuing as usual.
Heavy rain wreaks havoc in Uttarakhand’s Chamoli
With nature’s fury continuing in Uttarakhand’s Chamoli district, heavy rain brought down debris from a boulder collapse, blocking the Badrinath Highway at five locations.
The boulder collapse near Joshimath and Animath brought debris onto the road. The highway has been blocked at Pagal Nala, Nandprayag, Bhanerpani, Kameda and Chatwa Peepal.
All vehicles have been stopped at safe places. A motorable bridge on the Jyotirmath-Malari highway in Uttarakhand’s Chamoli district got washed away, Chamoli Police said.
Taking to the social media platform X, Chamoli Police said: “Badrinath National Highway is blocked at Pagalnala, Nandprayag, Bhanerpani, Kameda, Chatwa Pipal. Jyotirmath-Malari Road is completely blocked for traffic after the bridge in Tamak Nala was washed away. In the Tharali area, the road is blocked in Kotdeep.”
Heavy rain has snapped connectivity to several areas in the border area of the Niti Valley.
Notably, on Friday, two people went missing after a cloudburst struck Mopata village under Dewal Tehsil of Chamoli district, Uttarakhand. Two other persons sustained injuries in the incident.
Uttarakhand Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami said, “Debris flow after the cloudburst has blocked areas, leaving several people stranded.” He said that the local administration is conducting relief and rescue operations on a war footing.
The Chief Minister said that he is in constant contact with officials regarding this matter and has given necessary instructions to the Disaster Secretary and District Magistrate for the effective execution of rescue operations.
PM Modi lauds disaster response forces in ‘Mann Ki Baat’
Earlier on Sunday, Prime Minister Narendra Modi praised the Indian Armed Forces, National Disaster Response Force (NDRF), State Disaster Response Force (SDRF), social workers and locals who have stepped in to help with the rescue efforts as the monsoon continues to wreak havoc in several parts of the country.
The monsoon has caused significant devastation across various parts of India, from North to South, since its onset. States such as Jammu and Kashmir, Uttarakhand, Himachal Pradesh, Punjab, Rajasthan, Maharashtra, and Karnataka have been severely affected by heavy rainfall, leading to floods, landslides, and flash floods.
Addressing the 125th episode of his monthly radio programme, ‘Mann Ki Baat’, PM Modi said, “In this monsoon season, natural disasters are testing the country. In the last few weeks, we have witnessed massive havoc caused by floods and landslides. Homes torn apart, fields submerged, entire families destroyed. The relentless surge in water levels swept away bridges; roads got washed away, and people’s lives were in danger.”
Expressing distress, he said that these incidents have saddened every Indian. “The pain of the families who lost their loved ones is shared by all of us,” he added.
Praising the rescue officials for their work in times of crisis, the Prime Minister said, “Wherever there was a crisis, our NDRF, SDRF personnel and other security forces worked day and night to save people. The soldiers also took the help of technology. Efforts were made to speed up the rescue and relief efforts with the help of thermal cameras, live detectors, sniffer dogs, and drone surveillance.”
Expressing gratitude, PM Modi said, “During this, relief material was delivered by helicopters and the injured were airlifted. Armed forces came forward to help in times of crisis. Local people, social workers, doctors and administration; everyone made every possible effort in this hour of crisis. I heartily thank every such citizen who has prioritised humanity in these difficult times.”
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