Kochi, 22 July (H.S.): As rescue operations entered another critical phase following the collapse of an under-construction tunnel in Sikkim, the family of 43-year-old Kerala geologist Anish Mohan admitted that they are rapidly losing hope of seeing him alive. The difficult conditions inside the tunnel, including toxic gas accumulation, flooding and damaged oxygen supply lines, have severely hampered rescue efforts.

Speaking from the accident site, Anish's brother Binish Mohan said the family had been briefed by officials of the National Hydroelectric Power Corporation (NHPC), who informed them that rescuers had identified the approximate location of those trapped but were unable to reach them safely.

We know where they are inside the tunnel, but the situation is extremely dangerous. Toxic gases have made entry nearly impossible, and we have been told that the oxygen supply pipe was damaged after the collapse. Only a miracle can bring him back alive, Binish said.

Binish, an engineer based in Dubai, rushed to India immediately after learning of the accident. He later travelled to Sikkim along with Anish's wife Sangeetha, her brother Sanal and a family friend. The family has been in constant contact with NHPC officials overseeing the rescue operation.

According to Binish, Anish, a Senior Geologist (Remote Sensing) with NHPC, was not originally scheduled to enter the tunnel on the day of the incident. He was reportedly asked to accompany a visiting team of consultants and engineers to the project site.

Rescue teams are continuing efforts to drain water that flooded the tunnel after the landslide while also trying to tackle the presence of toxic gases that have prevented personnel from entering deeper sections of the tunnel.

Anish, a native of Illivalavu near Manarcad in Kottayam district, joined NHPC in 2011. He had recently been transferred from Haryana to Sikkim. His wife had returned to her parental home in Tripunithura ahead of the birth of their second child, and Anish had visited them in February. His elderly parents, Mohanan and Amminikutty, remain at their family home in Kottayam.

Apart from his professional work, Anish was widely known among Malayalis for his science outreach through his popular YouTube channel, Scientific Malayali. A rank holder from Government College, Nattakom, he also conducted research in glaciology with ISRO before joining NHPC.

According to NHPC, the accident occurred at 1.04 p.m. inside the under-construction Head Race Tunnel of the Teesta Stage-IV hydroelectric project at Samardung in South Sikkim. The company said a suspected methane gas burst during excavation triggered an explosion, filling the tunnel with dense fumes and toxic gases. Around 25 personnel are believed to be trapped, while NHPC, the district administration, the State Disaster Response Force and other emergency agencies continue rescue operations.

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Hindusthan Samachar / Arun Lakshman