Uttarakhand Transformer Explosion: 15 Dead, Several Injured

At least 15 people died and several were injured after a transformer exploded on the banks of the Alaknanda River in the Chamoli district.

The injured have been admitted to the district hospital, SP Chamoli Parmendra Doval said.

"Around 15 people including a police sub-inspector & five home guards have died. The investigation is underway. Prima Facie reveals that there was current on the railing and the investigation will reveal the further details," says Additional Director General of Police, Uttarakhand, V Murugesan.

Responding to the incident, Uttarakhand Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami, said, "It is a sad incident. The district administration, police, and SDRF have reached the spot. The injured are being referred to higher centre and are being shifted to AIIMS Rishikesh via helicopter. Orders have been given to conduct a Magisterial inquiry."State health minister Dhan Singh Rawat stated that the injured are being airlifted to AIIMS Rishikesh.

The incident took place amid relentless rainfall that had been lashing Uttarakhand for the past few days. The continuous downpour caused the water level of the Alakananda River to surge. In response to the rising water levels, approximately 3,000 cusecs of extra water were discharged from the GVK hydroelectric project dam located in Srinagar, Pauri district, to alleviate the situation.