Chamoli THDC Tunnel Accident: 19 Rescued, 7 Dead; Search Continues for 3 Missing
Chamoli, August 14, 2026: Rescue and relief operations continued through the night following an incident in which debris and water entered an under-construction THDC tunnel at Mayapur near Pipalkoti in Chamoli district.
According to the district administration, 19 of the 22 people reported trapped inside the tunnel have been rescued, while search operations are continuing for three others. The incident has so far resulted in the deaths of seven people.
All six rescuers who entered the tunnel to assist with the rescue operation are safe, the administration said.
Chamoli District Magistrate Gaurav Kumar remained at the site and continued to monitor the rescue operation. He directed officials and rescue teams to make effective use of all available resources, technical assistance and manpower to safely evacuate the remaining people trapped inside the tunnel.
Debris and Water Enter Tunnel After Ground Subsidence
The incident occurred in the TRT tunnel of the THDC Vishnugad-Pipalkoti Hydroelectric Project. The tunnel is approximately 3 kilometres long, and ground subsidence in a section of around 1.50 kilometres led to the accumulation of debris and water, trapping workers inside.
Following the incident, the district administration deployed multiple agencies for the rescue operation, including the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF), State Disaster Response Force (SDRF), Indo-Tibetan Border Police (ITBP), police personnel and technical and specialist teams.
Rescue teams worked throughout the night under difficult conditions and successfully evacuated 19 people from the affected section.
Search Underway for Three People
The search for the three remaining people is continuing inside the tunnel. The presence of debris and water has posed significant challenges for the rescue teams, which are proceeding with extreme caution and close coordination. The number of casualties and missing persons may change as the rescue operation progresses.
The six rescue personnel who entered the tunnel following the incident to assist in the operation have also been confirmed safe.
Injured Evacuated to District Hospital
The injured people rescued from the tunnel have been shifted to the District Hospital in Gopeshwar, where they are receiving medical treatment. Doctors and healthcare teams are continuously monitoring their condition and providing necessary medical care.
The district administration is also ensuring all necessary arrangements for the treatment and welfare of those injured in the incident.
Multi-Agency Rescue Operation Continues
NDRF, SDRF, ITBP, police and other technical and specialist teams remain deployed at the site. With debris and water inside the tunnel continuing to pose challenges, the rescue operation is being carried out with utmost caution.
The district administration is maintaining continuous monitoring of the situation, with the safe evacuation of the remaining three people being given the highest priority.
