Photos: Rescue teams race to find survivors at Tapovan tunnel in Chamoli
Published on Feb 10, 2021 03:35 PM IST
- Using drones and remote-sensing equipment, rescue teams intensified efforts on February 10 to reach an estimated 25-35 men trapped in the sludge-choked Tapovan tunnel since the Uttarakhand glacier disaster three days ago and the over 200 people still missing. So far, 32 bodies have been recovered from different places in the disaster-hit areas of Chamoli district according to the State Emergency Control Centre in Dehradun. A glacier broke in the Tapovan-Reni area of Chamoli District of Uttarakhand on February 7, which led to massive flooding in Dhauliganga and Alaknanda rivers, and damaged houses and the nearby Rishiganga power project.
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Published on Feb 10, 2021 03:35 PM IST
A view of Tapovan barrage two days after a portion of the Nanda Devi glacier snapped off, releasing water trapped behind it in Tapovan, Uttarakhand on February 9. Scientists are investigating what caused the glacier to break – possibly an avalanche or a release of accumulated water – as teams on the ground work to locate over 200 people still missing.(AP)
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Published on Feb 10, 2021 03:35 PM IST
People look at the damaged Tapovan hydel project, a day after a glacier broke off in Joshimath causing massive flood in Dhauli Ganga River on February 8. As many as 32 bodies have been recovered so far from different areas hit by the glacier burst in Chamoli district.(Arun Sharma / PTI)
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Rescue operations continue at Tapovan tunnel in Chamoli on February 10. The rescue operation at the 2.5 km long Tapovan tunnel continued with 25-35 persons stuck inside. A joint team of ITBP, NDRF, SDRF and sister agencies entered the tunnel this morning.(Arun Sharma / PTI)
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Armed forces personnel discuss rescue strategies near the Tapovan tunnel on February 8. A meeting of all agencies including senior officials of ITBP, NDRF, Army and local administration has been called on February 10 to decide further course of action.(Arun Sharma / PTI)
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ITBP personnel at work during rescue operations in Chamoli on February 8. The police have issued a helpline number to provide information about bodies that have not been identified yet. "People, who know someone who is missing, can contact DIG Law and Order on +91 7500016666, they will be sent photos of 24 bodies that are yet to be identified, on WhatsApp," police said.(Arun Sharma / PTI)
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Villagers watch rescue operations being carried out at Tapovan tunnel on February 10. Machines were pressed to remove more slush from the tunnel through the night. The tunnel is still approachable till about 120 meters, ANI reported. However, more slush and water coming from inside the tunnel is making the way ahead difficult.(Arun Sharma / PTI)
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A vehicle stuck in the swamp at the site of the Tapovan hydel project on February 8. Using drones and remote-sensing equipment to intensify efforts on February 10, the multi-agency rescue operation at the NTPC hydel project site has been going on uninterrupted since February 7.(PTI)
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The missing people include those working at NTPC’s 480 MW Tapovan-Vishnugad project and the 13.2 MW Rishiganga Hydel Project and villagers whose homes were washed away as a wall of water came hurtling down mountainsides. A focal point of the rescue work has been efforts to penetrate through tonnes of silt, sludge and debris to get to the people who were at work inside the 1,500 metre tunnel when the waters came rushing in.(Arun Sharma / PTI)
