Gopeshwar: Despite all efforts, the rescue work in the main tunnel of Vishnugad Hydroelectric Project located at Tapopan is not catching up. The major obstacle is the large amount of water leakage in the tunnel. NTPC is now looking for an immediate solution by laying another four-inch pipeline within the tunnel. However, a line of similar capacity has already been laid, but this is not working. Experts are also being sought for a permanent solution to the drainage.
On February 7, the Risiganga and Dhauliganga uproar accompanied by the devastation caused havoc in the Rishiganga catchment area. This has also caused widespread damage to the Rishiganga and Vishnugad hydro projects. Several tunnels of the Vishnugad project in Tapovan were gutted by debris. Cleaning of the main tunnel has been going on since that day. Shortly before the deluge, 34 employees went to work on the Silt Flushing Tunnel via the main tunnel. Their research is on. There are problems with the rescue in the main tunnel. The challenge that is being faced can be gauged from the fact that within twelve days only about 160 meters of debris has been removed within the tunnel. 1748 meters of this proposed tunnel of 3000 meters length has been dug. That is, the tenth part of the tunnel just dug has not been cleared. As the rescue team progresses into the tunnel, the water leakage from the tunnel is increasing. This is the reason that only 10 meters of debris has been removed in the last four days. Eight to ten inches of water flows are creating swamp-like conditions. This is hampering debris removal. Four inches of water is being pumped out everyday before pumping, but it is not working.
Now, another four-inch line of drainage is being arranged. On Thursday afternoon, when the leakage was high, the rescue team had to move the stone from outside and moved JCB forward. NTPC General Manager RP Ahriwar informed that the help of experts is also being taken to drain the tunnel. Every effort is being made to rescue. He says that this is a challenge for NTPC too, such situations have never arisen before.
Three more bodies found, 61
Two more bodies buried in debris were recovered from the main tunnel of Vishnugad hydro project at Tapovan. So far 13 bodies have been found from here. A dead body was found in the Rainy area. The dead were identified as Jagadish Tomar resident Kalsi Dehradun, Vicky Bhagat resident Jharkhand and Madhavi Devi resident Jugju Tapovan Chamoli. 61 bodies and 28 human organs have been recovered from the missing persons in the disaster. Out of these, 34 bodies have been identified. Prior to the disaster, the people who worked inside the tunnel are angry at repeated interruptions in the family rescue. He is demanding NTPC officials to make arrangements to get water and debris removed from the tunnel at the earliest.
Rescue update
Total Missing – 204
Dead body recovered – 61
Identification so far- 34
Human organ recovered-28
Still missing – 143
Missing Record – 204
DNA sample for – 105
The anger of the affected
Accusing the delay in the ongoing rescue in the Vishnugad project, the affected lodged a protest before Joshimath office of NTPC. Impressed under the leadership of former Cabinet Minister Rajendra Bhandari arrived here. It was agreed to speed up relief operations between NTPC officials and the affected.
Administration distributed compensation
District Magistrate of Chamoli, Swati S Bhadoria told that compensation has been given to the kins of 26 dead and 11 injured persons so far. A family was also given home grant money. A 1929 health test was conducted in the affected areas. 553 ration kits, two pot kits, 45 solar lights, nine blankets were distributed to the affected families.
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