Mahisagar: Five workers drowned while working in a well of a hydro power project near Dolatpura village, around 20 km from Kadana Dam, after a sudden release of 1.25 lakh cusecs of water from the dam. The incident occurred today around 4 pm when the workers had gone to repair machinery in the hydro project well.

According to reports, about 20 workers managed to run to safety, while five workers drowned in the rising water. The workers were employed under a contract with Oreva Group, a company owned by Morbi-based industrialist Jaysukh Patel, a colleague of the victims said.

On receiving information about the mishap, officials including the DDO, Mamlatdar, and the Town PI from Lunawada rushed to the site. The rescue operation involves the Lunawada fire department, 108 ambulance, and SDRF teams. Police are also conducting an investigation.

Mahisagar SP Safeen Hasan said the maintenance work inside the hydro plant well, which is a deep area, led to some workers being trapped as water suddenly entered the well. “The exact number of affected workers is difficult to confirm at this moment. All rescued workers have been taken to the hospital. Teams from SDRF, fire, revenue, and police departments are on-site using cameras and other equipment to track anyone trapped inside,” he added.

One of the workers who was present at the location stated that they had been informed that water would be released, but not in such large volumes.

Local authorities are monitoring the situation closely, and all agencies involved in the rescue operation are working in coordination to locate the missing workers. Families of the missing workers have reached the site, expressing grief and demanding urgent action. DeshGujarat