The NDRF has deployed scuba divers and underwater cameras to track any trapped bodies. The same cameras had previously been deployed in the search operations after the Gambhira bridge collapse in Vadodara district in July this year.Thirty hours after five workers of a hydro power plant situated in Mahisagar district were feared drowned in a sudden flood of water inside the powerhouse, rescue teams retrieved one body late on Friday evening even as search operations continued to find the remaining four persons.On Friday evening, teams of the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF), State Disaster Response Force (SDRF) and the fire department recovered the body of Naresh Solanki, a wireman from Godhra in Panchmahal district, who was working on a repair in the powerhouse with his colleagues when the tragedy occurred. The plant is situated in Dolatpura Weir of Kadana Dam.Mahisagar District Superintendent of Police Safin Hasan told The Indian Express, “One body has been recovered from inside the powerhouse… Search operations are on to find the remaining workers. There is a possibility that the bodies got washed out but the teams are yet to ascertain that. The body that has been retrieved will be sent for a panel post mortem on Saturday before being handed over to the family…”Hasan said the survivors have informed the police that there was a “sudden sound and flow of water” into the area where they were working on Thursday afternoon, prompting some of the 15 workers to escape with help of rails while five were feared drowned.Even as survivors cited a previous incident of flooding in the powerhouse, Hasan said, “The probe into what actually happened will begin only when the water recedes… We have come across the previous incident of flooding but it had not caused any casualty although the powerhouse had suffered some damage. We are currently focussing on the rescue.”Mahisagar District Collector Arpit Sagar said that following the rescue operations, legal action will be initiated as per the process if any negligence is found.A battalion of 30 personnel of the Gandhinagar NDRF, along with 45 SDRF personnel and eight fire officers are on the site to search for the other missing persons — Shailesh Raiji Macchi, Shailesh Raman Macchi, Bharat Akhma Padariya, and Arvind Damor, all residents of Mahisagar district.Story continues below this adThe NDRF has deployed scuba divers and underwater cameras to track any trapped bodies. The same cameras had previously been deployed in the search operations after the Gambhira bridge collapse in Vadodara district in July this year.Lakhanlal Raghuvanshi, Team Commander of the NDRF battalion at the spot, said on Friday, “The divers are not able to conduct a smooth operation as there is much turbidity in the water, and also oil… There is very little visibility. We have also deployed the cameras underwater. The divers are also not able to reach the part between the machinery.”Meanwhile, a survivor said that the water had gushed in within seconds, turning the entire powerhouse into a watery grave. “There were about 15-16 of us inside the powerhouse. We were preparing for re-installation of gearboxes that were being repaired following a previous damage. There were some contractual workers for pipes and electric work… The entire powerhouse was also being cleaned to prepare for the installation when the tragedy struck. It was about 3pm and we were waiting for our tea when there was a loud sound and all of a sudden, water came gushing in. Whoever grabbed rails and other pipes to climb up managed to survive but there was no sign of the other five persons. At least four of them were very young, in their 20s,” the worker said.Officials of AEPL remained unavailable for comment on Friday.The 12 MW run-of-the-river hydro power plant is operated by Ajanta Energy Private Limited (AEPL), part of Ajanta-Oreva Group of companies of Morbi.Stay updated with the latest - Click here to follow us on Instagram© The Indian Express Pvt LtdTags:Vadodara