AndhraNews.Net - All the 20 workers trapped in a tunnel at Kullu rescued unhurt

New Delhi: August 9, 2004

All the 20 workers who were trapped in a tunnel at the Parbati Hydroelectric Project in Manikaran area of Kullu district, have been rescued alive and unhurt in a hazardous operation this morning. The National Hydroelectric Power Corporation, which has been constantly monitoring the situation, has conveyed this to the Power Ministry.

Rescue operations started on a war footing immediately after the intensity of the rains subsided. Though there was practically no access, still two earthmovers were taken to the blocked entrance of the tunnel through slush and debris and managed to save them.

The incident occurred at about 1.30 a.m. yesterday following a cloud burst in the Manikaran valley of the Kullu District in Himachal Pradesh and as a result, the work at the Parbati Stage two Project of the NHPC has been badly affected. The worst hit site was the Jigrai Nallah area at the dam complex, where the Head Race Tunnel works were being executed.

The labourers belonging to M/s Patel Engineering Ltd. who were in their nightshift got trapped in the tunnel with the sudden rise in water level, induced by the flash floods. The silt deposited by the floods upto a height of six meters totally covered the entrance to the tunnel. The silt had to be removed to make a opening for the rescue operation.

Press Release: PIB

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