As the search and rescue operation continues in flash flood hit Tapovan tunnel, the total body count appears to be above 90, including 29 body parts, said Uttarakhand DGP Ashok Kumar. Under the massive debris, around 29 human organs were found out of which some are of bodies found while the rest will be identified by DNA match.
Rescue and search operation continues in Tapovan tunnel and nearby villages, he added.
The search and rescue team, making effort to reach the trapped workers in Tapovan tunnel since the past 17 days, are approaching a crucial junction point, reports said. The rescuers have cleared debris till 170 metres inside the tunnel, by Monday, and are about 10 metres away from reaching the ‘T-point’ from where small tunnels connect to the main one.
Of the 206 missings, the rescue and search operation for 134 missing people is underway. Indo-Tibetan Border Police personnel along with National Disaster Response Force and other sister agencies have been conducting search and rescue operations in Chamoli district.
A glacier burst in the Tapovan-Reni area of Chamoli district of Uttarakhand on February 7 led to massive flooding in the Dhauli Ganga and Alaknanda rivers and damaged houses and the nearby Rishi Ganga power project.
(With inputs from agencies)