Image Source: NEWS 18

Nine persons are feared trapped in Srisailam hydroelectric plant located underground on the Telangana-Andhra Pradesh border after a fire broke out on Thursday night and "huge smoke" was preventing rescue personnel from entering in, officials said on Friday. A short- circuit is suspected to have caused the fire, which was followed by an explosion in unit 4 of the six-unit power station. According to intial reports, the fire broke out around 10.30pm. Nagarkurnool district Collector L Sharman said three fire engines were engaged in extinguishing the huge smoke emanating from the plant's premises. The smoke from the massive blaze has engulfed all six units of the power station from zero level to the service bay, hampering rescue operations. According to officials, there were 19 people on duty at the time of the accident, but 10 had managed to come out. Sources said the rescue personnel tried to enter the power station units at least thrice but were unable to enter because of the thick smoke. Teams from the National Disaster Response Force have also joined the rescue operation. "There is huge smoke and because of it we are not able to enter into the plant premises. By 11 am we expect to enter the plant," Nagarkurnool district Collector L Sharman said, adding, nine persons including seven staff members are stuck. Those stuck include a Deputy Engineer and an Assistant Engineer.

"Our main target is to rescue them, we are not able to contact them because they are not carrying mobile phones and there is no mobile network," he said. Chief Minister Sri K Chandrashekhar Rao has expressed shock over the accident and is monitoring the situation at the site. The CM said he wanted all those trapped in the plant to be brought out safely and spoke to Minister Jagdeesh Reddy and Transco, Genco CMD D Prabhakar Rao to review the relief measures. Nagarkurnool district fire officer Sri Das said several teams were pressed into service from Kothakotta, Mahababubnagar, Amarabad, Achampeta and Atmakur in Kurnool district. �People are feared trapped at different floors. We could not find them on the surface floor. It is very difficult to say how long this operation might last. We think, by late evening or tomorrow morning, we will have everything clear,� he added. Telangana Cabinet Minister Jagadish Reddy, who visited the accident site, said it was an unfortunate incident as these kind of accidents in hydro power plants are very rare.

"There�s heavy smoke which is making rescue operations difficult. Even fire personnel have become unconscious while trying to rescue people inside. NDRF teams are also helping. Luckily, the drivers carrying firemen have masks- so that has saved them. We have asked help from Singareni Collieries workers since they work in underground conditions."