EXCLUSIVE: It’s difficult, however hope to rescue all caught inside Tapovan tunnel, says CM Rawat

Image Source : INDIA TV Uttarakhand CM Trivendra Rawat stated there was not glacier burst in Chamoli.
Multiple businesses have mounted a round the clock rescue operation to tug out all caught contained in the Tapovan tunnel since Sunday, February 7, when a catastrophic sudden deluge ripped by means of a number of districts of Uttarakhand. The loss of life toll within the tragedy has reached 31 and round 170 are stated to be lacking. About 30 employees are believed to be caught inside a tunnel of the National Thermal Power Corporation (NTPC) Limited venture on river Dhauli Ganga in Tapovan. 

The rescue work proceeded at a terrific velocity on Monday with groups from the Indian Army, NDRF, SDRF and ITBP eradicating heavy slush from contained in the tunnel. Non-stop rescue work continued in a single day. Approximate 120 metres of the tunnel entry has been cleared to this point. However, eradicating the large amount of silt contained in the tunnel is making it troublesome for the rescue groups to maneuver forward with velocity. 

Uttarakhand CM Trivendra Rawat acknowledged that the rescue work is without doubt one of the most difficult the world has seen, however stated he was hopeful that everybody contained in the tunnel can be pulled out alive. 

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In an unique interplay with India TV, Rawat stated that rescue groups are combating antagonistic circumstances contained in the tunnel. “There is mud flowing inside the tunnel from the other side as the teams keep clearing the way. But we are hopeful of reaching those inside soon,” Rawat stated. 

No Glacier Burst

Explaining the rationale behind the devastation, CM Rawat dismissed experiences of a glacier burst. He stated satellite tv for pc pictures have confirmed that there was no glacier within the greater reaches of the valley.  

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“Scientists have scanned the satellite images and confirmed that there was no glacier burst. Infact, there is no glacier. There was heavy snowfall in the region on February 3-5. Heavy rocks from the mountains broke off under pressure from heavy layers of snow. The huge boulders then fell into the river which triggered the flash flood,” CM Rawat stated.

Tapovan energy venture helped in controlling the injury

Responding to allegations that the tragedy was because of speedy exploitation of pure sources within the area, CM Rawat asserted that the Tapovan energy helped reduce the influence of the flash flood. 

“Tapovan power project’s barrage helped in controlling the impact of the flash flood to a large extent. The barrage gates have been broken but the pillars are intact. This barrage actually controlled the intensity of water which prevented greater loss downstream,” the Uttarakhand CM stated. 

“There has to be a balance between environment and development. We are keeping a close watch on ecological developments and our focus is now on taking action in advance to prevent greater damage. Minimising the rescue time is very important… first 72 hours are very crucial,” he added.

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