Sikkim NHPC tunnel disaster: Search for Malayali geologist continues

Rescue operations are in full swing to trace the people who were trapped at the under-construction National Hydroelectric Power Corporation (NHPC) Teesta Stage-VI Hydropower Project tunnel in Namchi district of south Sikkim. The tunnel under construction collapsed following an explosion in the ‘Head Race Tunnel’ (HRT) and a geologist from Kottayam is feared trapped inside the tunnel after a landslide blocked its entrance on Monday.

Anish Mohan, 43, a native of Illivalavu in Manarcad, is among those feared trapped. He has been working with the NHPC since 2010 and currently serves as manager, remote sensing. According to the officials at the NoRKA-Roots, the field agency of the Department of Non-Resident Keralites Affairs (NoRKA) under the Kerala government, the search for him is under way.

NHPC officials informed that steps have been taken to bring Mr. Mohan’s family to the accident site. The National Disaster Response Force (NDRF), State Disaster Response Force (SDRF), Directorate General of Mines Safety (DGMS) and local administration are jointly carrying out the rescue operations in coordination with the Sikkim government.

The disaster occurred at 1.04 p.m. on July 20. The methane gas trapped inside the rock suddenly released and caused the explosion. This led to heavy smoke and toxic gases filling the tunnel. As many as 25 people were trapped inside the tunnel at the time of the accident. Of these, 12 have been officially confirmed dead. The Namchi district ADM said that 8 of the 12 bodies recovered have been identified.