With the recovery of three more bodies in the disaster affected area of Chamoli district, the death toll has increased to 61 while 143 persons are still missing. According to official sources, while two bodies were recovered from the Tapovan-Vishnugad project tunnel, the body of a woman was recovered from near Raini village. Meanwhile, according to the State Emergency Operations Centre (SEOC), search and rescue operations have continued in an attempt to reach between 25 and 35 persons who were stuck in the Tapovan tunnel. The bodies of 13 persons have been recovered from here so far. However, as in the past days, the backflow caused by the debris being in sludge form has continued to pose a hindrance in the efforts in the tunnel. About 145 metres of the tunnel has been cleared of debris so far.
It will be recalled here that a total of 204 persons were reported missing due to flood in the Rishiganga and Dhauliganga rivers caused by a glacier break on February 7. Since then, the authorities have recovered 61 bodies. Of these bodies, 34 have been identified while 27 are yet to be identified. Meanwhile, the authorities have restored the supply of drinking water and electricity in the 13 affected villages in the area.
Friday, 19 February 2021 | PNS | Dehradun
