At least three to eight workers remained trapped on Thursday evening after water, mud, and debris surged into an under-construction tunnel in Uttarakhand’s Chamoli district, according to local and state officials. The incident occurred at a Tehri Hydro Development Corporation (THDC) Limited hydroelectric project site in the Pipalkoti area, where emergency responders, police teams, and disaster management units immediately launched operations to clear the debris and rescue the remaining personnel.
Emergency Rescue Operations Underway at Chamoli Project Site
According to district officials, the incident was reported at approximately 7 pm on Thursday, after a sudden flow of water and debris rushed into the 3-km-long tail-race tunnel. Local reports noted that about 22 to 28 workers were on shift inside the tunnel when the surge hit about 1.5 km from its mouth. Strong currents swept several workers toward the exit, while others became stuck behind the sudden influx of mud. Local MLA Lakhpat Butola stated that 20 to 21 workers managed to escape or were swept out safely, leaving seven or eight individuals initially unaccounted for. State government updates subsequently reported that 16 to 18 workers had been safely rescued, with ongoing efforts focused on locating the remaining trapped individuals.
Police, the State Disaster Response Force (SDRF), the Central Industrial Security Force (CISF), and other local emergency personnel rushed to the scene. Chamoli police chief Surjeet Singh Pawar confirmed that ambulances and police teams reached the location immediately. A National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) team from Rudraprayag was deployed to join the operation alongside Indo-Tibetan Border Police and Army teams, while District Magistrate Gaurav Kumar arrived at the site to oversee the response.
Did You Know? The construction work at the Pipalkoti hydroelectric project site is being carried out by the Hindustan Construction Company (HCC) for the Tehri Hydro Development Corporation (THDC) Limited.
Official Response and State Coordination
Uttarakhand Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami directed all relevant agencies to conduct relief and rescue operations on a war footing. According to Chief Minister Dhami, the government’s top priority is to safely rescue every person trapped inside the tunnel. He stated that he is receiving real-time updates on the situation from senior officers and has ensured that preparations are in place for emergency helicopter evacuation if required.
The Chief Minister spoke to injured workers admitted to the hospital, noting that their condition is stable and that they are receiving all necessary treatment. He also spoke with the chief medical superintendent and informed the chief ministers of Jharkhand and Chhattisgarh that their residents involved in the incident are receiving medical care in Uttarakhand. Vinod Kumar Suman, Secretary of the Disaster Management and Rehabilitation Department, stated that the situation is being continuously monitored from emergency operation centres.
Weather Conditions and Regional Impact
The incident follows heavy rainfall in the district over the preceding days. On Monday, rising water levels and strong currents in a river swept away a metal bridge in the district’s Niti Valley region. Video footage of that separate event showed a massive volume of water mixed with mud rushing downstream, uprooting the bridge and pushing it toward the riverbank within seconds.
As rescue teams continue to clear the debris at the Pipalkoti project site, authorities have stressed that additional specialist teams and resources will be deployed as needed to expedite the evacuation of the remaining workers.
Frequently Asked Questions
Where did the tunnel incident take place?
The incident occurred at an under-construction hydroelectric project site operated by Tehri Hydro Development Corporation (THDC) Limited in the Pipalkoti area of Uttarakhand’s Chamoli district.
How many workers were rescued and how many remain trapped?
Reports from officials indicate that out of roughly 22 to 28 workers on duty, between 16 and 18 workers have been safely rescued and taken to the hospital with stable conditions and minor injuries, while a search and rescue operation continues for the remaining workers.
Which agencies are involved in the rescue operation?
Teams from the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF), the State Disaster Response Force (SDRF), the Central Industrial Security Force (CISF), the Indo-Tibetan Border Police, and the Army have been deployed alongside local police and district administration personnel.
What steps do you think authorities should prioritize next to secure vulnerable underground construction sites during heavy monsoon periods?
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