Chamoli tunnel rescue: CM Dhami takes charge, 16 of 22 workers brought out safely
Synopsis
Twenty-two workers were trapped inside a THDC tunnel at Mayapur in Chamoli after debris and water flooded the site. CM Pushkar Singh Dhami personally took charge from the State Disaster Operations Centre in Dehradun, coordinating NDRF, SDRF, ITBP, and Army teams — 16 workers are out safely, and the race to reach the remaining six is ongoing.
Key Takeaways
22 workers were trapped in a THDC tunnel at Mayapur (Pipalkoti) , Chamoli district , after debris and water accumulated on the night of 13 August .
16 workers have been safely rescued; operations continue for the remaining 6 .
CM Pushkar Singh Dhami took personal command from the State Disaster Operations Centre in Dehradun , coordinating multi-agency response.
Teams from SDRF , NDRF , ITBP , the Army , and the district administration are jointly engaged at the site.
District Magistrate Gaurav Kumar is personally present at the incident site overseeing rescue work.
Critically injured workers may be airlifted to AIIMS or advanced medical facilities by helicopter if required.
Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami took personal command of rescue operations on the night of 13 August after 22 workers were trapped inside a THDC tunnel under construction at Mayapur (Pipalkoti) in Chamoli district, Uttarakhand, following a sudden accumulation of debris and water. As of the latest update, 16 workers have been brought out safely, with rescue teams pressing on to reach the remaining six.
CM Takes Direct Command from Dehradun
Upon receiving news of the incident late Thursday night, CM Dhami immediately proceeded to the State Disaster Operations Centre in Dehradun, from where he directed the entire relief and rescue mission on a war footing. He interacted directly with the rescued workers via video conferencing, inquiring about their well-being and assuring them that the state government stood firmly behind them.
Dhami maintained real-time contact with senior officials from the Chamoli district administration, the State Disaster Response Force (SDRF), the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF), the Indo-Tibetan Border Police (ITBP), and the Army, issuing directives minute by minute. He made clear that rescuing every trapped person safely was the top priority and that no laxity would be tolerated.
On-Ground Response
Chamoli District Magistrate Gaurav Kumar is personally overseeing operations at the incident site. Teams from the district administration, police, SDRF, NDRF, ITBP, and the Army are working in joint coordination. The administration has deployed the necessary machinery, resources, and medical facilities on site.
CM Dhami spoke directly with District Magistrate Gaurav Kumar by phone to get a detailed ground assessment and instructed him to ensure all required arrangements were in place without delay. He also spoke to the Deputy Chief Medical Officer, directing that the best possible medical care be provided to the injured. He further instructed that critically injured persons be airlifted to AIIMS or other advanced medical institutions via helicopter if their condition warranted it.
Officials Present at the Operations Centre
Chief Secretary Anand Bardhan, Secretary Vinod Kumar Suman, and all other concerned officials were present at the State Disaster Operations Centre throughout the operation. The coordinated response reflects the multi-agency framework that Uttarakhand has deployed in past tunnel and infrastructure emergencies in the ecologically sensitive Chamoli region.
Rescue Continues for Remaining Workers
With 16 of the 22 trapped workers now safe, rescue teams are continuing efforts to reach the remaining 6 individuals. CM Dhami stated that the state government is monitoring the situation closely and that operations will continue at full force until every worker is brought out. The Chamoli district, located in the high-altitude terrain of the Garhwal Himalayas, has seen multiple tunnel and infrastructure incidents in recent years, underscoring the risks faced by construction workers in the region.
Point of View
But the harder question is whether THDC and other project agencies are meeting statutory safety standards in high-risk tunnel construction. Chamoli has seen repeated incidents; the pattern demands a structural audit, not just a rescue-by-rescue response.
NationPress
14 Aug 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
What happened in the Chamoli tunnel incident on 13 August?
A tunnel under construction by THDC at Mayapur (Pipalkoti) in Chamoli district, Uttarakhand, experienced a sudden accumulation of debris and water, trapping 22 workers inside. The incident occurred late on the night of 13 August, prompting an immediate multi-agency rescue operation.
How many workers have been rescued from the Chamoli tunnel?
As of the latest update, 16 of the 22 trapped workers have been safely brought out. Rescue operations by NDRF, SDRF, ITBP, and Army teams are continuing to reach the remaining 6 individuals.
What action did CM Pushkar Singh Dhami take?
CM Dhami immediately proceeded to the State Disaster Operations Centre in Dehradun upon receiving news of the incident and took personal command of the rescue operation. He coordinated with district administration, SDRF, NDRF, ITBP, and Army officials in real time and spoke directly with rescued workers via video conferencing.
Who is overseeing rescue operations on the ground in Chamoli?
Chamoli District Magistrate Gaurav Kumar is personally present at the incident site, overseeing the joint rescue effort by district administration, police, SDRF, NDRF, ITBP, and the Army.
What medical arrangements have been made for the trapped workers?
CM Dhami has directed the Deputy Chief Medical Officer to ensure the best possible medical care for the injured on site. He also instructed that critically injured workers be airlifted to AIIMS or other advanced medical institutions by helicopter if their condition requires it.
