7 Workers Killed After Water, Debris Enter Hydropower Tunnel In Chamoli, Uttarakhand

At least seven people were killed and several others injured after a sudden surge of water and debris entered an under-construction tunnel at a hydropower project in Chamoli district on Thursday. Three workers are still believed to be trapped inside the tunnel, while 18 people have been rescued so far, the State Disaster Management Authority said. Rescue teams are continuing efforts to reach those still trapped.

Around 28 workers were present at the Tehri Hydro Development Corporation Ltd (THDC) project site in Pipalkoti when a large quantity of water suddenly rushed into the tunnel. District Magistrate Gaurav Kumar said the incident occurred at around 6.30 pm, when a significant amount of debris and water surged into the structure. The force of the flow reportedly swept several workers towards the tunnel entrance and exit areas.

Teams from the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) and State Disaster Response Force (SDRF) have been deployed to the site to search through the debris and reach the trapped workers. Rescue personnel are working amid difficult conditions as they attempt to clear the affected section of the tunnel. Authorities are also coordinating medical assistance for those who were rescued and injured in the incident.

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Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami directed officials to conduct rescue and relief operations on a war footing and has been receiving regular updates from senior officers. Dhami also spoke to injured workers receiving treatment in hospital and said their condition was stable. He added that he had informed the chief ministers of Jharkhand and Chhattisgarh that residents of those states involved in the incident were receiving treatment in Uttarakhand.

Local MLA Lakhpat Butola described the incident as deeply tragic and said the administrative team had reached the area. He emphasised that providing continuous support to the rescue teams and those affected by the incident remained the immediate priority. Officials are continuing to assess the situation as rescue operations remain focused on locating the three workers who are still trapped.

The incident occurred after several days of heavy rainfall in Chamoli district, raising concerns about the impact of excess water and debris in the mountainous region. Earlier this week, strong currents caused by rising water levels swept away a bridge in the Niti Valley area. Authorities are continuing rescue operations at the tunnel site while monitoring conditions in the surrounding region.

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