Archive · 14 Aug 2026
Seven killed in Chamoli tunnel flooding, rescue operations underway
In a place called Chamoli in India, workers were building a tunnel.
Suddenly, a big rush of water and mud came pouring into the tunnel.
The water was so strong that it pushed the workers around and was very dangerous.
Sadly, seven workers lost their lives because of the flood.
Several other workers were hurt and needed medical care.
There were 25 workers at the site when the water came in.
Rescue teams, called NDRF and SDRF, came to help find workers who were still trapped inside.
So far, they have rescued 13 workers.
The leader of the state, the Chief Minister, is coming to visit the place and check on the injured workers.
The area had heavy rain for many days, which may have caused the sudden rush of water.
At least seven workers were killed and several others injured when a sudden influx of water and debris entered an under-construction tunnel in Chamoli, Uttarakhand.
The incident occurred around 6:30 p.m. on Thursday at the Tehri Hydro Development Corporation Ltd (THDC) project site in Pipalkoti.
Twenty-five workers were present at the site when the surge occurred, and 13 workers have been rescued so far.
NDRF and SDRF teams are conducting intensive search and rescue operations amid challenging conditions to locate trapped workers.
Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami is scheduled to visit the site, review rescue efforts, and meet the injured at Gopeshwar District Hospital, following heavy rainfall in the district.
- Who
- Workers at the Tehri Hydro Development Corporation Ltd (THDC) project site in Pipalkoti, along with NDRF and SDRF rescue teams, local administration, and Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami.
- What
- A sudden influx of water and debris entered an under-construction tunnel, killing at least seven workers and injuring several others, with rescue operations underway.
- When
- Around 6:30 p.m. on Thursday; officials reported the details on Friday.
- Where
- Under-construction tunnel at the THDC project site in Pipalkoti, Chamoli district, Uttarakhand, India.
- Why
- A sudden surge of water mixed with debris flooded the tunnel during construction, amid heavy rainfall in the district over recent days.
- Location
- Pipalkoti, Chamoli district, Uttarakhand, India
- Fatalities
- At least 7 workers
- Workers present
- 25
- Workers rescued
- 13
- Project
- Tehri Hydro Development Corporation Ltd (THDC) under-construction tunnel
- Time of incident
- Around 6:30 p.m., Thursday
- Rescue agencies
- NDRF and SDRF
- Weather context
- Heavy rainfall in the district; a bridge was swept away in Niti Valley earlier this week