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A devastating incident occurred on Wednesday at a Namami Gange project site on the banks of the Alaknanda River in Chamoli, Uttarakhand, claiming the lives of at least 15 people, including a police sub-inspector and five home guards. The unfortunate incident was triggered by a transformer explosion at the project site, and there are fears that more individuals may be trapped.
Chamoli SP Parmendra Doval reported that ten people lost their lives immediately following the transformer explosion, and several others sustained injuries. The injured have been taken to the district hospital for treatment. The tragedy unfolded when the side railing of the river dam carried an electric current, resulting in the first casualty, Ganesh Lal, the caretaker of the project site. Tragically, those who subsequently touched the railing met a similar fate.
Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami expressed his grief over the incident and ensured that the district administration, police, and SDRF have reached the location to manage the situation. The injured are being airlifted via helicopters to AIIMS Rishikesh for further medical assistance, and a Magisterial inquiry has been ordered to investigate the circumstances surrounding the tragic event.
State Health Minister Dhan Singh Rawat, who is also present in Chamoli, confirmed the death toll of 15 and reported seven individuals injured. CM Pushkar Singh Dhami has passed orders for conducting a magisterial inquiry to determine the cause of the transformer explosion and the subsequent electric shock incident.
The Alaknanda River’s water level increased as a result of continuous heavy rain in Uttarakhand. Moreover, more water was released from the GVK hydroelectric project dam at Srinagar in the Pauri district which contributed to the tragedy as well. District magistrates have received precautionary directives from the State Emergency Operation Centre in Pauri, Tehri, Haridwar, and Dehradun to ensure public safety in light of the increased water release. Residents in Haridwar, Rishikesh, and surrounding areas have been advised to stay away from riverbanks and take necessary precautions to safeguard their well-being.