Peepalkoti Tunnel Accident: 18-19 Workers Feared Trapped After Debris and Water Enter Under-Construction THDC Tunnel, 13 Rescued Safely
Chamoli, August 13, 2026: A major accident was reported at an under-construction THDC tunnel in Mayapur (Peepalkoti) of Chamoli district on Thursday evening after debris and water reportedly entered the tunnel. The incident was reported at around 7:05 PM.
According to preliminary information, 18 to 19 workers were feared trapped inside the tunnel at the time of the incident. Following an immediate rescue operation by the administration and emergency response teams, 13 people have been safely rescued so far. Efforts to locate and safely evacuate the remaining workers are continuing on a war footing.
Army, ITBP, NDRF and SDRF Teams Deployed
Considering the seriousness of the situation, teams of the Army, Indo-Tibetan Border Police (ITBP), National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) and State Disaster Response Force (SDRF) have been mobilised towards the incident site.
Personnel from DIRF, local police and CISF are also currently engaged in the rescue operation at the site.
The district administration is continuously monitoring the situation and has mobilised all necessary resources for relief and rescue operations. The immediate priority is to establish safe access to the affected portion of the tunnel and evacuate all trapped workers safely.
The construction work at the tunnel was reportedly being carried out by HCC. A detailed assessment of the circumstances leading to the incident and the condition inside the tunnel is being carried out alongside the rescue operation.
CM Pushkar Singh Dhami Expresses Concern, Directs War-Footing Rescue Operation
Uttarakhand Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami expressed deep concern over the incident involving the entry of debris and water into the under-construction THDC tunnel at Peepalkoti.
The Chief Minister directed officials to conduct the relief and rescue operations on a war footing and ensure that there is no delay or negligence in the ongoing efforts.
CM Dhami said that in view of the seriousness of the incident, NDRF and SDRF teams were immediately mobilised to the site. He also directed the district administration and all concerned departments and agencies to work in close coordination and accelerate the rescue operation.
The Chief Minister said he was in continuous contact with senior officials and was receiving real-time updates on the situation. He stressed that the government’s top priority was to safely evacuate every person trapped inside the tunnel and that all necessary resources were being deployed for the operation.
He also directed officials to provide all possible assistance to the affected workers and their families.
Praying for the safety of everyone trapped inside the tunnel, CM Dhami said the state government was closely monitoring the situation with sensitivity and urgency and that every possible step was being taken as required.
Rescue Operation Continues
The search for the remaining trapped workers is currently underway. The district administration, police, security personnel and disaster-response agencies are jointly conducting the rescue operation and continuously assessing the situation at the site.
