A tunnel under construction at a hydropower project in the northeastern Indian state of Sikkim collapsed, killing at least 10 workers and possibly trapping more.
Tunnel of state-run NHPC Ltd. 500 MW power plant Teesta-VI The project collapsed around noon on Monday when a sudden release of methane gas triggered an explosion, the company said in a stock exchange filing. The explosion trapped 25 workers and officials in the tunnel located in Namchi district, the report added.
Deepti Pradhan, a public relations officer for the Sikkim government, said by phone that many workers remained worried about being trapped inside.
The company said “every effort is being made to evacuate the trapped people”, adding that a detailed investigation would be conducted to find out the cause of the incident.
constantly heavy rain The Himalayan region on the border with China has triggered multiple landslides and disrupted connectivity in the past few days.
Extreme and erratic weather events are jeopardizing the construction of large infrastructure projects in India, especially in fragile Himalayan region most parts of india Hydropower potential lie in. A surge in construction activity in unstable mountainous areas has triggered a series of landslides, exacerbating risks in a country that is among the worst hit by climate disasters.
Rescue efforts were complicated by poor visibility and the presence of smoke and toxic gases inside the blocked tunnel. Several disaster management personnel became dizzy and lost consciousness while trying to clear the scene, the Press Trust of India reported.
Several agencies, including national and state disaster response forces, are conducting rescue operations in the disaster-stricken areas.
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