Archive · 13 Aug 2026
Several Workers Trapped After Tunnel Collapses in Uttarakhand's Chamoli
Workers were building a big tunnel in the mountains to help make electricity from water.
Suddenly, a lot of water and mud rushed into the tunnel.
The workers inside could not get out.
This is called being trapped.
People who help in emergencies came quickly.
Some workers were saved and brought out safely.
Rescue teams are still digging through mud and rocks to find the others.
The leader of the state asked everyone to work very fast.
It had been raining a lot for many days.
Everyone is hoping that all the workers will be found safe.
Water and debris surged into a tunnel under construction for a THDC hydropower project in Chamoli district, Uttarakhand, around 6:30–6:45 PM.
Around 18 workers from the shift on duty were inside the tunnel when the surge occurred, with several feared trapped.
Reports differ on numbers: one article says at least 10 workers were trapped, while District Magistrate Gaurav Kumar said some 14–15 workers have been rescued so far.
Rescue teams from the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) and the State Disaster Response Force (SDRF) are searching through the debris, with ambulances and police at the site.
Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami ordered rescue and relief operations on a war footing and is taking real-time updates from senior officers.
- Who
- Around 18 workers at a THDC hydropower project tunnel, with rescue teams from the NDRF and SDRF, District Magistrate Gaurav Kumar, and Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami involved.
- What
- A surge of water and debris entered an under-construction tunnel, trapping several workers inside.
- When
- In the evening, around 6:30–6:45 PM; the exact date was not specified in the articles.
- Where
- Chamoli district, Uttarakhand, at the THDC project site in Pipalkoti.
- Why
- A large volume of debris and water suddenly surged into the tunnel; the district had also experienced heavy rain for several days.
- Location
- Chamoli district, Uttarakhand, India (Pipalkoti)
- Project
- Hydropower tunnel under construction belonging to THDC (Tehri Hydro Development Corporation Ltd)
- Incident Time
- Around 6:30–6:45 PM
- Workers Inside
- Around 18
- Rescued So Far
- 14–15 workers (per District Magistrate Gaurav Kumar)
- Rescue Teams
- NDRF, SDRF, police teams, and ambulances
- Weather Context
- Heavy rain in the district for the last few days; a bridge was swept away in Niti Valley on Monday
