Chamoli Tunnel Collapse: Several Workers Trapped at THDC Project, 10 Rescued; Rescue Ops Underway (Videos)
Chamoli Tunnel Collapse at a THDC project in Uttarakhand trapped several workers after debris and water entered an under-construction tunnel. Officials said around 20 to 25 workers were inside, with at least 10 rescued so far. NDRF and SDRF teams are leading the operation, while CM Pushkar Singh Dhami is monitoring the rescue. The cause of the collapse remains unknown.
A section of an under-construction tunnel at a Tehri Hydro Development Corporation Limited (THDC) project in Uttarakhand’s Chamoli district collapsed on Thursday, August 13, trapping several workers inside. Rescue teams launched a large-scale operation after debris and water entered the tunnel, with at least 10 workers rescued while efforts continued to evacuate those still trapped.
According to preliminary information, around 20 to 25 workers were inside the tunnel at the time of the incident at the THDC project in Pipalkoti. Officials said 10 workers had been safely brought out, while rescue teams were continuing efforts to reach and evacuate the remaining workers. The exact number of people trapped inside is yet to be officially confirmed.
Chamoli Tunnel Collapse
#WATCH | Chief Minister’s Office- Uttarakhand Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami has expressed deep concern over the incident of debris and water entering the THDC tunnel at Pipalkoti in Chamoli district and directed officials to conduct relief and rescue operations on a war… pic.twitter.com/DXhaSKhbUO
— ANI UP/Uttarakhand (@ANINewsUP) August 13, 2026
The accident has occurred at the Tail Race Tunnel (TRT) site of THDC’s 444 MW Vishnugad-Pipalkoti Hydroelectric Project on the Alaknanda River in Chamoli district of Uttarakhand.
The tunnel construction work at the site is being carried out by HCC. https://t.co/NeZwdmWbUZ pic.twitter.com/Nknz9wDrR9
— Kumaon Jagran (@KumaonJagran) August 13, 2026
उत्तराखंड के चमोली जिले के पीपलकोटी में THDC tunnel ढहने से कई वर्कर फंसे बताए जा रहे हैं। चमोली प्रशासन ने हादसे की पुष्टि की है। अभी तक आठ वर्करों को सुरक्षित निकल लिया है। बचाव कार्य जारी है।
— thehillnews.in (@thehill_news) August 13, 2026
Rescue Teams Deployed at Chamoli Tunnel
Emergency teams were rushed to the site after the tunnel section collapsed and debris and water entered the structure. Personnel from the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) and State Disaster Response Force (SDRF) were deployed as part of the rescue operation. Teams were working to clear the debris and establish access to the affected section of the tunnel.
Officials said the rescue operation remained underway as efforts continued to evacuate the workers who were still inside. The exact number of workers trapped could not immediately be confirmed, with authorities continuing to assess the situation at the site.
Pushkar Singh Dhami Expresses Concern
पीपलकोटी स्थित THDC टनल के भीतर मलबा एवं पानी आने की सूचना प्राप्त हुई है।
घटना की गंभीरता को देखते हुए @NDRFHQ और @uksdrf की टीमों को तत्काल मौके पर भेजा गया है। जिला प्रशासन सहित सभी संबंधित एजेंसियों को युद्धस्तर पर राहत एवं बचाव अभियान चलाने के निर्देश दिए हैं।
स्वयं भी…
— Pushkar Singh Dhami (@pushkardhami) August 13, 2026
Uttarakhand CM Pushkar Singh Dhami Monitors Rescue
Uttarakhand Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami expressed concern over the incident and directed authorities to conduct the rescue operation on a war footing.
Dhami said teams from the NDRF and SDRF had been rushed to the site in view of the seriousness of the incident. He also instructed the district administration and concerned departments to work in coordination to ensure a swift rescue operation.
The Chief Minister said he was personally monitoring the situation and remained in constant touch with senior officials, receiving regular updates on the rescue efforts.
"The government's top priority is to ensure the safe evacuation of every person trapped inside the tunnel. All necessary resources have been deployed for the rescue operation," the Chief Minister said.
He also directed officials to ensure there was no delay or lapse in the rescue work and asked the administration to extend all possible assistance to the affected workers and their families.
Cause of Tunnel Collapse Not Known
Rescue operations were continuing at the time of filing this report, with emergency response teams working to remove debris and safely evacuate the remaining workers. Authorities have not yet determined what caused the section of the under-construction tunnel to collapse.
The immediate focus remains on reaching workers who may still be trapped and ensuring their safe evacuation. Further details on the number of workers inside the tunnel and their condition are expected as the rescue operation progresses.
(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Aug 13, 2026 08:40 PM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).
