Shillong, Oct. 11: Meghalaya police suspect that the bodies of workers still missing after floods submerged parts of the Myntdu-Leshka power project, may have been either washed away to Bangladesh or buried in the mud along the border.
The power plant in the Jaintia Hills is adjacent to the Indo-Bangladesh border.
The tunnels and powerhouse of the project were flooded on Thursday after the water level of the Myntdu river rose following heavy rain.
Jaintia Hills superintendent of police M.K. Singh said today that the missing bodies could have been washed away to Bangladesh through rivers that flow along the Meghalaya border.
“We are keeping a round-the-clock vigil along the border and the rescue team is trying to trace the bodies,” Singh said.
The police also suspect that the missing bodies may be buried under mud or debris after the gushing waters flooded the tunnel and washed away those engaged in construction work there.
So far, the police have fished out five bodies. Ten persons are yet to be traced.
The public relations officer of the BSF, Ravi Gandhi, said the BSF was ready to provide any assistance to the Meghalaya police if the state government asked for help.
“We can contact our counterparts in Bangladesh to trace the missing bodies, if any, along the border, if the state asks for our help,” Gandhi said.
He added that the disaster management battalion of the BSF could also assist the Meghalaya police if the need arises.
The state power department was awaiting a detailed report on the incident. A team of Meghalaya State Electricity Board officials visited the site after the incident.
There was some damage to the electrical equipment of the power plant and we are yet to assess the extent of damage to other accessories, a board official said.
Though the stipulated time for the commissioning of the first and second units (84MW), of the 126MW of the project was scheduled for December this year, MeSEB sources said there would be further delay because of the mishap.
