National News: As dawn approached, a powerful torrent surged through Manuni Khad, catching the sleeping workers off guard. With no prior rain alerts or official warnings, the water broke into the camp site with immense force. Tin sheds crumbled under the pressure and were carried away within minutes. Survivors described it as a “sudden wave of destruction.” Rainfall had paused work, so all workers were in their camps. The rising water showed no mercy, washing away people, belongings and even parts of nearby structures.
Victims Were Mostly From Kashmir
According to initial reports, the majority of those swept away were migrant workers from Srinagar. They were temporarily settled near the project site in labour colonies built from tin and tarp. These shelters offered no resistance when the flash flood hit. Since work was halted due to rain, all workers were present inside the camp. Local witnesses say the flood came down from the hills with such speed that they had no time to run or even scream. Families of the victims are being informed.
Bodies Found Miles Apart
Two bodies have been recovered so far—one near Tillu and the other in Nagooni, both several kilometers apart. Rescue teams fear more bodies may have been dragged downstream. The SDRF and revenue teams are searching along the entire Khad. Communication with one rescue team near Nagooni has broken down due to poor signal. The terrain remains slippery and risky, slowing down the rescue efforts. Officials have yet to confirm the identities of the deceased.
Local MLA Shares Grief Online
MLA Sudhir Sharma took to social media to express his sorrow, confirming that 15–20 workers are feared dead. He called it one of the worst tragedies the region has seen in recent years. Sharma assured the families of the deceased that relief measures are being initiated. He also appealed for accountability from those overseeing the project. Locals supported his demand and claimed the incident was preventable. Social media is filled with condolences and demands for answers.
Blame on Project’s Mismanagement
Villagers have raised serious concerns about the hydropower project’s environmental mismanagement. Locals allege that massive deforestation and slope cutting diverted natural water flow toward the labour camp. Complaints had been made earlier to district authorities, but no action was taken. The dumping of construction debris also choked the natural drainage channels. After this incident, residents are urging for a full investigation into the project's practices. They believe this wasn’t a natural disaster, but a man-made one.
Emergency Response Still Struggling
SDRF teams remain on the ground, but bad weather and hilly terrain are making rescue efforts extremely difficult. Authorities are yet to release an official number of the missing. The administration has advised villagers to avoid riverbanks. Relief camps have been set up nearby, but families are growing restless. Drone surveillance is being considered to locate stranded victims. No additional bodies were found at the time of filing this report.
Unanswered Questions on Safety Measures
Why were dozens of workers housed in a high-risk floodplain without safety infrastructure? Why was there no emergency evacuation plan in place? These are the questions being asked now, but perhaps too late. Experts say such areas should not have temporary shelters at all. Human negligence, poor planning, and ignored warnings are at the center of this tragedy. The state government now faces public outrage and growing demands for justice.
