Chamoli: Seven workers have died and three others remain missing after a sudden rush of water and debris entered an under construction tunnel at a hydropower project in Uttarakhand's Chamoli district. Rescue teams are continuing their search for the missing workers as difficult conditions inside the tunnel have slowed the operation.
The accident took place on Thursday evening in the Mayapur area near Pipalkoti. The tunnel is part of the Vishnugad Pipalkoti Hydroelectric Project, a major power project being developed in the mountainous region. A total of 22 workers were inside the tunnel when water and debris suddenly entered the structure.
According to the latest information available on Friday, 19 workers were brought out of the tunnel during the rescue operation. Seven of them were found dead, while several others were injured and taken to hospitals for treatment. Three workers are still believed to be trapped inside, and rescue teams are working to reach them.
The incident is believed to have been triggered by landslides and ground movement in the area. A cavity reportedly formed near the tunnel, allowing a large quantity of water, mud and debris to enter. The sudden flow filled a significant section of the tunnel and made it extremely difficult for workers to escape.
Rescue officials have described the conditions inside the tunnel as challenging. Water continued to collect inside the structure, while debris blocked access to areas where the missing workers may be located. Rescue personnel have had to work carefully because the tunnel remains unstable and the possibility of further water entering the structure cannot be ignored.
Teams from the National Disaster Response Force, State Disaster Response Force, Indo Tibetan Border Police, police and other emergency services have been involved in the operation. Rescue personnel have entered the affected section while equipment and additional resources are being used to clear debris and search for the missing workers.
Uttarakhand Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami reached the area to review the rescue operation and meet officials involved in the response. He also visited injured workers receiving treatment and directed medical teams to ensure that those rescued receive proper care.
The deceased workers came from different parts of India, including Uttarakhand, Bihar and Jharkhand. The three workers still missing have also been identified as workers from Jharkhand and Chhattisgarh. Families are waiting for further information as rescue teams continue their efforts inside the tunnel.
The accident has once again raised concerns about the risks involved in building large infrastructure projects in the Himalayan region. Uttarakhand has steep mountains, unstable geological conditions and frequent landslides. Construction of tunnels and hydropower facilities in such terrain can therefore present serious challenges, particularly when underground water movement and changes in the surrounding rock are difficult to predict.
Officials have not yet announced a final technical explanation for the accident. A detailed investigation will be needed to establish exactly how the water and debris entered the tunnel and whether geological conditions, construction activity or other factors contributed to the incident.
For now, the main priority remains finding the three missing workers and bringing them out safely. Rescue teams are continuing the operation while authorities monitor the tunnel's condition and provide medical treatment to those who survived the accident.
The tragedy comes after several previous tunnel related incidents in Uttarakhand, including the major tunnel collapse in 2023 that trapped 41 workers for 17 days before they were rescued. The latest accident has again highlighted the dangers faced by workers involved in construction in the fragile Himalayan landscape.