Archive · 14 Aug 2026
Chamoli Tunnel Workers Recount Horror as Water and Wind Hit
A big tunnel being built in a place called Chamoli suddenly filled with rushing water and strong wind.
Workers said it happened so fast that it felt like a scary storm.
Some workers were thrown outside the tunnel by the force of the water.
Seven workers sadly died after being rescued.
Nineteen workers were taken to a hospital to be checked and treated.
Thirteen of them were in fairly good condition, and ten stayed in the hospital.
One worker was sent to another hospital in Srinagar because he needed more care.
Another worker thinks there may have been about 20 to 22 people inside the tunnel at the time.
The rescued workers were treated at District Hospital in Gopeshwar.
Seven workers were declared dead after water and debris entered an under-construction Tehri Hydro Development Corporation Limited (THDC) tunnel in Chamoli's Pipalkoti.
Rescued workers said water and strong wind suddenly rushed in 'like a storm,' throwing several of them out of the tunnel.
Nineteen people were brought to District Hospital in Gopeshwar, of whom seven were declared dead and 13 arrived in relatively stable condition.
Ten workers were admitted at the hospital, and one worker in unstable condition was referred to the Base Hospital in Srinagar, according to Dr Aayush.
Worker Vinod Raman said an estimated 20-22 people may have been inside the tunnel when the incident occurred.
- Who
- Workers of the Tehri Hydro Development Corporation Limited (THDC) tunnel project, including rescued workers brought to District Hospital in Gopeshwar.
- What
- A sudden rush of water and strong wind flooded the under-construction tunnel, killing seven workers and injuring several others.
- When
- Officials confirmed the deaths on Friday; the exact time of the incident was not specified.
- Where
- An under-construction THDC tunnel at Pipalkoti in Chamoli district.
- Why
- Water and debris suddenly entered the tunnel with storm-like force, trapping workers inside.
- Location
- Pipalkoti, Chamoli district
- Project
- Tehri Hydro Development Corporation Limited (THDC) under-construction tunnel
- Deaths
- 7 workers declared dead
- Brought to hospital
- 19 people
- Stable condition
- 13 workers arrived in relatively stable condition
- Admitted
- 10 workers admitted at District Hospital, Gopeshwar
- Referred
- 1 worker referred to Base Hospital, Srinagar
- Estimated inside
- 20-22 people may have been inside the tunnel