Uttarakhand's Chamoli Tunnel Horror (Img: X)
Chamoli: Seven workers died after water gushed inside an under-construction tunnel at the THDC Hydroelectric Project site in Mayapur, Pipalkoti, in Uttarakhand’s Chamoli district.
The sudden inflow of water and debris trapped workers inside the tunnel, while rescue teams continue operations to locate three missing labourers. The incident occurred after landslides and subsidence caused debris and water to fill a major section of the tunnel.
The disaster unfolded when a sudden rush of water and debris entered the tunnel after a landslide and ground subsidence, trapping workers inside. At the time of the incident, 22 workers were reportedly present in the tunnel.
Rescue teams managed to evacuate 19 workers, but seven lost their lives in the tragedy. The operation is still underway to locate the remaining missing workers.
Workers who survived the accident described moments of panic when water and strong winds suddenly swept through the tunnel.
One rescued worker said the situation felt like a wave of destruction coming towards them, leaving them with very little time to react.
“Water and wind came very fast. We were thrown outside. After that, when the water slowed down, we somehow managed to come out,” another survivor recalled.
Other workers said the force of the water was so intense that everything inside the tunnel became chaotic within seconds.
“Water came like a storm. We could not understand what was happening,” a survivor said while describing the terrifying incident.
Multiple agencies, including the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF), State Disaster Response Force (SDRF), Indo-Tibetan Border Police (ITBP) and local police, are engaged in the rescue operation.
Officials said the tunnel was filled with water and debris, creating difficult conditions for rescuers. Teams equipped with specialised gear are working continuously to reach the trapped workers.
Uttarakhand Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami visited the accident site in Pipalkoti and reviewed the ongoing rescue operation.
Uttarakhand: Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami visited the site of the THDC tunnel accident at Mayapur (Pipalkoti) in Chamoli district and reviewed the ongoing rescue operation. He entered the under-construction tunnel to assess relief and rescue efforts and directed officials… pic.twitter.com/YGWMxW7eSb
— Dynamite News (@DynamiteNews_) August 14, 2026
The Chief Minister held discussions with officials from the administration, NDRF, SDRF, ITBP and other agencies, directing them to prioritise the safe evacuation of the missing workers.
CM Pushkar Singh Dhami: Out of the 22 people trapped in the THDC tunnel, 19 have been rescued. Some are critically injured and receiving proper treatment. I have spoken to the CMs of Chhattisgarh and Jharkhand and assured all possible support to the affected workers and their… pic.twitter.com/aYsP2W6RO0
— Dynamite News (@DynamiteNews_) August 14, 2026
Dhami said that out of the 22 workers inside the tunnel, most have been rescued and injured workers are receiving medical treatment.
As rescue teams battle challenging conditions inside the tunnel, families of the missing workers continue to wait for updates.
Authorities have assured that every possible effort is being made to locate the remaining workers and complete the rescue operation safely.
