Rescue workers were racing against time on Wednesday to reach out to 37 workers trapped in a tunnel since Sunday when a landslide-triggered avalanche swept away two hydel power projects.
Rescue teams comprising personnel from the ITBP, the Army, NDRF and SDRF flew drones into a tunnel of the under-construction hydel project of the National Thermal Power Corporation (NTPC) on the Dhauliganga river in the Himalayan mountain ranges.
“We will not lose hope and keep on trying till the workers are found,” a senior Army officer told DH on the rescue efforts being carried out on the banks of the Dhauliganga river which has turned muddy after Sunday’s landslide.
He said the workers are trapped about 180 meters deep in the 1800 meter-long tunnel, being built to house turbines of the run-of-the-river power project.
“We have been able to reach a depth of 120 meters,” the Army officer said as excavators moved in and out of the tunnel removing slush and depositing it near the riverbed. The Army officer said they have not lost hopes as humans are known to survive up to six days in such conditions.
A multi-agency meeting was held to review the rescue and relief strategy at the disaster sites on Wednesday.
“I can tell you that we will continue our efforts till any length of time... for whatever time it takes to reach the logical conclusion and find the workers,” PTI quoted ITBP Director General Surjeet Singh Deswal as saying.
Medical teams were camping near the rescue site with oxygen cylinders and stretchers even as anxious relatives thronged to look for their loved ones.
Thirty-four bodies have been found so far, officials said adding that anywhere between 175-204 persons are missing since the disaster struck.
Once known for its clear gushing waters, the river Dhauliganga has been bringing in slush since Sunday.