Uttarakhand Tunnel Tragedy: Death Toll Rises as Rescue Operations Continue in Chamoli

Rescue personnel and officials gather outside the under-construction THDC hydropower project tunnel near Pipalkoti in Uttarakhand’s Chamoli district after water, mud and debris entered the tunnel on Thursday evening, August 13, 2026. Rescue operations continued on Friday as authorities worked to account for workers caught in the incident-Photo Credit: ANI

Workers trapped after water and debris entered under-construction THDC tunnel near Pipalkoti; Dhami orders rescue effort on war footing

Dehradun: A major rescue operation continued on Friday at an under-construction THDC hydropower project tunnel near Pipalkoti in Uttarakhand’s Chamoli district after a sudden rush of water, mud and debris trapped workers inside the tunnel.

Initial reports had put the toll at four, with 18 workers reported rescued. However, fresh reports on Friday morning indicate that the death toll has subsequently risen, making it important not to retain the earlier “18 rescued, four dead” formulation as the definitive headline. One latest report says seven workers have died, while rescue operations remain under way.

The accident occurred on Thursday evening when water and debris suddenly entered the tunnel, creating hazardous conditions for workers and severely hampering access for rescue teams. Machinery deployed inside was also affected by the water and debris.

Uttarakhand Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami directed all agencies involved to conduct rescue operations on a war footing and said saving those caught in the disaster remained the Government’s highest priority.

“Our topmost priority is to safely evacuate every person trapped inside the tunnel,” Dhami said, adding that personnel from the NDRF, SDRF, district administration, police, Health Department and disaster management authorities had been mobilised.

The Chief Minister also spoke to injured workers undergoing treatment and reviewed medical arrangements. Emergency transfers to higher medical centres have been kept available for workers requiring specialised treatment.

Significantly, Dhami said he had personally communicated with the Chief Ministers of Chhattisgarh and Jharkhand regarding workers from the two States affected by the incident and informed them about their safety and medical treatment.

Rescue teams have faced difficult conditions inside the tunnel because of accumulated water, mud and debris. Personnel from multiple agencies, including specialist rescue teams and security forces, have been deployed as efforts continue to account for those affected.

The incident has once again drawn attention to the risks involved in large infrastructure construction in Uttarakhand’s geologically sensitive Himalayan terrain, particularly during periods of intense rainfall.