25 Hyd Students Feared Swept Away As Larji Dam Releases Water Without Notice

Around 25 students from VNR college in Hyderabad have been swept away by a sudden surge of water in River Beas in Himachal Pradesh. A search is on for the missing students in the Kullu valley. A senior state government official, said: “The water was released by the Larji power project dam.” The students have been trapped by sudden rise in Beas River waters downstream of Largi Project at Talot Village on the border of Kullu and Mandi districts.

The incident took place some 200km (125 miles) from the state capital, Shimla, as the students were travelling to the popular tourist resort of Manali. The students had reportedly left a bus to take photographs when the surge occurred. Himachal Transport Minister G S Bali said: “Rescue teams are looking downstream for the missing in the dark. They are engineering students of the VNR college, Hyderabad. The students had got off the bus to take photographs at the edge of the river at around 1930 when the sudden rise of the water washed them away.”

Angry locals and tourists have blocked traffic on the busy road, asking why there was no warning before the dam released the water.

The sudden rise in river waters occurred because of the Largi hydropower plant authorities suddenly releasing water downstream from the dam that has caught the students by surprise. Students are feared to have been washed away by the strong currents.

With nightfall in the region, rescue operations were being hindered as white water rafters in the valley were reluctant to take to the waters in such conditions.

The students are said to belong to VNR Engineering College, Hyderabad and as many as 25 of the batch of 38-45 are reported missing. The students, who were on summer vacation were said to clicking photographs at the edge of the river bank near Talot Village, when without any warnings the waters started to rise. Of those missing, 18 are boys and 7 girls, according to preliminary information available.

CM KCR asked Chief Secretary Rajiv Sharma to coordinate with the HP Chief Secretary and help stranded students. Telangana Home Minister Nayani Narsimha Reddy is rushing to Himachal Pradesh to help students along with an ad-hoc committee formed, with Greyhounds SP Karthikeya and Revenue Dept CS BR Meena. Cyberabad Commissioner, C.V. Anand said police are in touch with Mandi SP. A helpline number is being set up to help students’ families. He is also sending a special team to Himachal Pradesh to assist the local police.