India, Feb. 9 -- On a calm Sunday morning, the sound of gushing water stirred fear in the minds and hearts of the people of Chamoli district in Uttarakhand as it reminded them of the fateful day in 2013 when a deluge took hundreds of lives, rendered many homeless and devastated the State.

The huge volume of water and mud flowing towards the under-construction Rishi Ganga Hydel Project confirmed the worst fears of the local people who watched helplessly as nearly 40 labourers at the Rishi Ganga and Dhauli Ganga dam sites came under the swathe of the colossal deluge consisting of water, muck and debris.

The death toll by Monday evening climbed to 18, while 27 were rescued and over 200 were feared missing or dead, with 30-35 feared trapped...