Uttarakhand calamity survivor recounts horror

A National Thermal Power Corporation (NTPC) Vikram Chauhan who miraculously escaped death after being washed away by the flash flood in Uttarakhand on February 7, said he clung on to a tree for his life, before managing to get to safety. The survivor said he felt as if the whole world was ending when he first saw the water gushing in.

Dehradun (Uttarakhand): A National Thermal Power Corporation (NTPC) employee who miraculously survived after being swept away by the flash floods on February 7 in Uttarakhand, said he felt as if the whole world was ending when he first say the water gushing in.

Vikram Chauhan, an employee at NTPC Tapovan, is currently admitted to the Doon Hospital. He was caught in the deluge on February 7, and narrowly cheated death.

Originally hailing from Lambagad, Vikram said that he was loading stones as usual on the fateful morning at NTPC Tapovan. However, he noticed water gushing in, and before he could realise, he was sept away by the strong current.

Recalling the horror, Vikram said he could not hear the roar of the incoming water due to the loud sound of the machine he was working with. He added that he felt as if the whole world was ending as the flood came in.

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Vikram was caught in the raging waters, and all efforts to escape seemed futile, as he was in the water for 15 to 20 minutes.

Luckily enough, he later found a tree and clung on to it for his dear life. He somehow managed to get out of the water, and walked for around half a kilometre to reach the NTPC office.

Vikram, who was seriously injured in the incident, was first taken to Joshimath hospital, from where he was referred to the Doon Hospital on the night of February 8.

Vikram said every part of his body felt numb, as he remained trapped in icy-cold water for 15-20 minutes.

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