Lucknow, India, August 14, 2026 — A tunnel under construction at a hydropower project in India’s northern hill state of Uttarakhand collapsed overnight, leaving at least seven workers dead, officials said Friday.
A sudden rush of water and debris entered the tunnel at the Vishnugad-Pipalkoti hydroelectric project in Chamoli district late Thursday night, triggering the collapse, according to top district official Gaurav Kumar.
Of the 22 people working inside the tunnel, 12 have been rescued alive while three others remain missing, Uttarakhand Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami told reporters.
Rescue teams from the National Disaster Response Force, State Disaster Response Force, Indo-Tibetan Border Police and fire services are continuing operations amid rising water levels and debris.
“When our team reached the site and started the operation, there was a lot of water inside the tunnel and water was also seeping from the sides. Since then, the water level has increased considerably,” said National Disaster Response Force commander Amrit Lal Meena.
