Chamoli tunnel rescue: 19 of 22 trapped workers saved, 7 dead; CM Dhami inspects site
Synopsis
A cave-in at THDC's under-construction Vishnugad-Pipalkoti tunnel in Chamoli trapped over two dozen workers, killing seven. With 19 of 22 confirmed trapped now rescued and three still missing, CM Dhami personally entered the tunnel to review operations — underscoring the urgency in one of Uttarakhand's most disaster-prone corridors.
Key Takeaways
A subsidence in a 1.50 km section of the THDC Vishnugad-Pipalkoti Hydroelectric Project tunnel in Chamoli caused water and debris to trap workers.
19 of 22 trapped workers have been rescued as of 14 August ; search for the remaining three is ongoing.
Seven deaths have been reported in connection with the incident.
Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami personally inspected the tunnel and issued on-ground directives to officials.
Rescue teams from NDRF , SDRF , ITBP , and police are coordinating the operation.
Injured survivors are being treated at District Hospital, Gopeshwar .
Uttarakhand Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami on Friday, 14 August conducted an on-site inspection of the disaster-hit THDC tunnel in Chamoli district, where a cave-in trapped more than two dozen workers at the Vishnugad-Pipalkoti Hydroelectric Project site in Pipalkoti. According to the Chamoli District Magistrate, 19 of the 22 workers confirmed trapped have been rescued, while search operations for the remaining three continue. Seven deaths have been reported in connection with the incident.
What Triggered the Disaster
The incident occurred inside the TRT tunnel of THDC's Vishnugad-Pipalkoti Hydroelectric Project, an under-construction structure approximately 3 kilometres long. A subsidence — or cave-in — in a section spanning roughly 1.50 km of the tunnel caused a sudden influx of water and debris, trapping workers who were inside at the time. Several of those trapped were evacuated on Thursday night, with rescue efforts continuing through Friday.
CM Dhami's On-Ground Inspection
Chief Minister Dhami entered the affected tunnel personally to assess the extent of damage and take stock of the rescue mission's progress. He was briefed by officials and rescue teams on the challenges being faced in reaching the remaining trapped workers. Following the briefing, Dhami issued direct instructions to officials to ensure no lapses at any level.
In a post on X, Dhami stated: 'While reviewing the progress and challenges of the operation on the ground, I directed the officials to ensure no lapses at any level in the rescue efforts and to utilize all available resources to their full capacity. Evacuating every worker safely is our topmost priority.'
Multi-Agency Rescue Operation
The Chief Minister stressed the need for seamless coordination among all agencies deployed at the site, including the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF), State Disaster Response Force (SDRF), Indo-Tibetan Border Police (ITBP), and the local police. He directed that the operation be conducted at 'war footing' until all remaining workers are accounted for.
Condition of Rescued Workers
Injured workers who were evacuated have been shifted to the District Hospital in Gopeshwar, where a dedicated team of doctors and Health Department personnel are providing treatment. Authorities have not yet disclosed the nature or severity of injuries sustained by the rescued individuals.
What Comes Next
With three workers still unaccounted for inside the tunnel, rescue operations are expected to continue around the clock. The incident has drawn attention to safety protocols at hydroelectric project construction sites in Uttarakhand's fragile Himalayan terrain — a region that has seen repeated tunnel and infrastructure disasters in recent years. Authorities have not yet announced a formal inquiry into the cause of the subsidence.
Point of View
Ecologically sensitive Himalayan zone. The Vishnugad-Pipalkoti project has faced scrutiny before, and the fact that a 1.50 km section subsided at an under-construction site raises hard questions about geological surveys and safety enforcement. CM Dhami's personal visit signals political seriousness, but the absence of any announced inquiry into the cause is notable. With three workers still missing, accountability for how this happened must follow the rescue — not be deferred indefinitely.
NationPress
14 Aug 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
What happened at the Chamoli tunnel on 14 August?
A cave-in in a roughly 1.50 km section of the under-construction TRT tunnel at THDC's Vishnugad-Pipalkoti Hydroelectric Project in Pipalkoti, Chamoli caused water and debris to flood in, trapping more than two dozen workers. Seven deaths have been reported and three workers remain missing as rescue operations continue.
How many workers have been rescued from the Chamoli tunnel?
According to the Chamoli District Magistrate, 19 of the 22 workers confirmed trapped inside the tunnel have been rescued. The search and rescue operation for the remaining three is ongoing.
Why did CM Dhami visit the Chamoli tunnel site?
Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami visited on 14 August to conduct a first-hand inspection of the rescue operation, assess damage, and issue directives to officials. He personally entered the tunnel and instructed teams to use all available resources and ensure no lapses in the effort.
Which agencies are involved in the Chamoli tunnel rescue?
The rescue operation involves the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF), State Disaster Response Force (SDRF), Indo-Tibetan Border Police (ITBP), and local police, all coordinating under instructions from the Chief Minister to operate at war footing.
Where are the rescued workers being treated?
Injured workers evacuated from the Chamoli tunnel are being treated at the District Hospital in Gopeshwar, where doctors and Health Department personnel have been deployed specifically to attend to them.
