Seven workers have died, 12 have been rescued and three remain missing after water and debris entered an under-construction tunnel at the Vishnugad-Pipalkoti Hydroelectric Project in Uttarakhand's Chamoli district, triggering a massive multi-agency rescue operation.
The incident took place on Thursday evening, August 13, when a sudden surge of water and debris entered the tunnel, trapping workers inside. Rescue operations were launched soon after, with teams continuing their efforts on Friday to locate the three missing workers.
According to National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) DIG Mohsen Shahedi, 22 people were involved in the incident. Of them, 12 have been rescued alive, while seven bodies have been recovered and three workers remain missing.
Rising water, low oxygen hamper rescue operation
Rescue teams are facing extremely challenging conditions inside the approximately 2.5-km-long tunnel. Around five to six feet of water has accumulated in some sections, while continuous water inflow, sludge and low oxygen levels are making it difficult for personnel to move deeper inside. Persistent rainfall has also increased the risk of landslides in the area.
Teams from the NDRF, State Disaster Response Force (SDRF), State Police, Central Industrial Security Force (CISF), Indo-Tibetan Border Police (ITBP) and the district administration have been deployed at the site. Rescue personnel are proceeding with caution as efforts continue to reach the missing workers.
NDRF team commander Amrit Lal Meena said there was already a large amount of water inside the tunnel when rescuers reached the site and that the water level subsequently increased considerably.
The injured workers have been taken to the District Hospital in Gopeshwar for treatment.
CM Dhami orders magisterial inquiry
Uttarakhand Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami has ordered a magisterial inquiry into the tunnel tragedy and announced compensation of Rs 4 lakh each for the families of workers who lost their lives.
Dhami has been monitoring the rescue operation as authorities work to locate those still missing. Defence Minister Rajnath Singh also expressed grief over the deaths and offered condolences to the bereaved families while praying for the speedy recovery of the injured and safe rescue of those still trapped.
The accident has once again highlighted the risks involved in major infrastructure projects in Uttarakhand's fragile Himalayan terrain, where heavy rainfall, unstable geology and sudden water ingress can significantly complicate construction and rescue operations.
