A serious accident hit an under-construction tunnel near Pipalkoti in Chamoli district. Debris and water entered the Pipalkoti tunnel of THDC’s Vishnugad-Pipalkoti hydroelectric project. Notably, the incident took place on 13 August 2026 after heavy rain. The next day, Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami reached the site and reviewed the rescue work.
What Happened in the Pipalkoti Tunnel
The project’s tail race tunnel (TRT) is about 3 km long. However, land subsidence affected nearly 1.5 km of it. As a result, debris and water rushed into the tunnel. Many workers were inside at the time.
Rescue Status
District Magistrate Gaurav Kumar briefed the Chief Minister on the rescue. According to him, 22 people remained stuck inside the tunnel. Of these, teams had rescued 19 by then. Sadly, officials had confirmed seven deaths. Meanwhile, the search for the remaining three continued.
The injured went to the district hospital at Gopeshwar. There, doctors kept a close watch on their health.
Agencies at Work
The Chief Minister even went inside the tunnel to review the work. Also, he asked officials to treat the rescue as the top priority. NDRF, SDRF, ITBP and police teams worked together on the site. Furthermore, he told them to use all resources and technical skills.
About the Vishnugad-Pipalkoti Project
THDC India Limited is building this run-of-river project on the Alaknanda river. Its planned capacity is 444 MW. Hence, it is an important part of Uttarakhand’s hydropower plans.
Lessons for Himalayan Projects
The Himalayas are young and fragile mountains. Therefore, tunnels here face risks from weak rock, water and landslides. Earlier, the Silkyara tunnel collapse in 2023 also showed these risks. So, experts call for strong geological studies and safety audits before and during work.
Why the Pipalkoti Tunnel Accident Matters for UKPSC
Notably, disaster management in the hills is a core UKPSC topic. So, remember the project, the river and the agencies involved. Also, prepare points on safe infrastructure in fragile zones. For official updates, also visit USDMA. Next, for a related story, read about Aamir Khan’s film on the Silkyara tunnel rescue. You can also download our free Uttarakhand Current Affairs magazine.
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