Flood in India from Himalayan Glacier "30 Trapped in Tunnel"

[Image source=AP Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Cho Hyun-ui] Approximately 30 workers are believed to be trapped inside a tunnel near a power generation facility in Uttarakhand, northern India, where a glacier melted down from the Himalayas and struck a dam below the mountain.

On the 8th (local time), according to local media and major foreign news outlets, Indian military and police forces have been conducting rescue operations for the second day in a tunnel near the Tapovan-Vishnugad Hydroelectric Power Plant in Chamoli district, Uttarakhand.

The military and police rescued 12 workers from Tunnel 2 the previous day and are now making every effort to rescue about 30 workers believed to be trapped in Tunnel 1. Hundreds of ground personnel including military, police, and the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF), as well as Air Force aircraft and Navy divers, are conducting extensive searches in other areas.

Uttarakhand, located on the western foothills of the Himalayas, is a region vulnerable to floods and landslides. In June 2013, a landslide and flood known as the "Himalayan tsunami" occurred, resulting in the deaths of approximately 6,000 people.

On the morning of the previous day, flooding triggered by a glacier collapse occurred near Nanda Devi mountain (elevation 7,816m) in Uttarakhand. The powerful rapid currents, like a tsunami, swept over the Rishiganga Hydroelectric Power Plant and the Tapovan-Vishnugad Hydroelectric Power Plant, destroying five bridges, roads, and parts of nearby villages.

In particular, the facilities and dam of the Rishiganga Hydroelectric Power Plant were completely destroyed and washed away. According to officials, local media such as NDTV reported that 170 workers from the two power plants went missing during this process.

However, there are claims that the number of missing persons is lower than reported by NDTV and others, with at least 125 people missing. The Uttarakhand state government announced on Twitter that "14 bodies have been found at the site" and "a total of 15 people have been rescued."

Authorities drained water from two downstream dams to prevent further damage and evacuated residents of nearby villages. Prime Minister Narendra Modi stated, "We are continuously monitoring the unfortunate situation in Uttarakhand," and added, "India stands with Uttarakhand and prays for the safety of everyone at the site."

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.