Several National Hydoelectric Power Corporation workers were trapped on Sunday after a landslide blocked tunnels within the Dhauliganga Power Project in Uttarakhand. A rescue operation was subsequently launched in the Pithoragarh area of Uttarakhand — with machines trying to clear the way despite continuous falling of debris.
Multiple highways and roads across the city were blocked over the weekend as the incessant rainfall triggered landslides in several areas. The India Meteorological Department had issued a red alert for several parts of the state on Sunday — forecasting very heavy rainfall and warning about flash flood risks. Uttarakhand Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami has directed district-level officers to maintain round-the-clock vigil ofver the next few days.
Tunnels blocked by landslide
According to an update shared by Dharchula Deputy District Magistrate Jitendra Verma, machines are currently working to clear the way. Officials said the path path leading to both the normal and emergency tunnels of the project in Ealagarh area had been blocked after heavy rains triggered a landslide.
Verma told PTI that all workers were safe and set to exit the tunnel after machines cleared the way. The Border Roads Organisation has reportedly deployed JCB machines in the area — working despite the continuous falling of debris. He also said that power generation from the power project was continuing normally.
Red alert in Uttarakhand
The Chief Minister inspected several affected areas on Sunday as rainfall continued in parts of Uttarkhand. He said that the entire district administration, NDRF, SDRF, and all departments are monitoring the situation following the issuance of red and orange warnings by the Meteorological Department.
“Some of our districts are in red alert and some districts are in orange alert. That means our entire state is in orange and red. The next 24-48 hours are of alert for us and we all have to keep a close watch. Our entire district administration, NDRF, SDRF, all departments are keeping a watch…We are also providing immediate help to those people whose houses etc. have been completely destroyed or affected by the disaster. We are keeping them in safe places. Camps have also been set up. Our effort is to ensure that all the needs of everyone in those camps are met properly. Such instructions have already been given to everyone. The work of opening the roads that are closed is also going on,” said Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami.