Story perspectives

12 Rescued After Tunnel Flood Traps 22 Workers

8/14/2026

Summary

Rescuers Battle Flood

A tunnel for the Vishnugad-Pipalkoti hydroelectric project in Chamoli, Uttarakhand, collapsed overnight, killing at least seven workers.
The collapse trapped 22 workers, with 12 rescued, three missing and 13 injured.
Rescue teams from the National Disaster Response Force are battling water in the flooded tunnel.
Uttarakhand Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami said evacuating workers safely is the top priority and warned that monsoon rains have raised landslide and flood risk.

Summary

Rescuers Intensify

Magistrate Gaurav Kumar said the surge entered the tunnel at about 6:30 p.m. on August 13, 2026.
Workers with serious injuries are transferred to higher-level centres, while minor injuries are treated at Gopeshwar hospital.
The rescue deployment includes the Indian Army, Central Industrial Security Force, National and State Disaster Response Forces, Indo-Tibetan Border Police, fire services.
Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami posted on X that the rescue operation is at “war-level” intensity.

History

Historical Context

In June 2013, record monsoon rains caused floods and landslides in Uttarakhand, killing over 5,700 people and prompting a massive rescue by the Indian Army, NDRF and the Air Force, which airlifted 18,424 victims. Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami now orders the Army, CISF and ITBP to mount a war-level rescue in the Vishnugad-Pipalkoti tunnel, mirroring the 2013 multi-agency effort.

1 of 3

Rescuers Battle Flood

A tunnel for the Vishnugad-Pipalkoti hydroelectric project in Chamoli, Uttarakhand, collapsed overnight, killing at least seven workers.
The collapse trapped 22 workers, with 12 rescued, three missing and 13 injured.
Rescue teams from the National Disaster Response Force are battling water in the flooded tunnel.
Uttarakhand Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami said evacuating workers safely is the top priority and warned that monsoon rains have raised landslide and flood risk.

1 / 3