# Uttarakhand tunnel collapse accident

> Live situation record from CLSTR: https://clstr.news/situations/uttarakhand-tunnel-collapse-accident
> Updated: 2026-08-18T07:45:04.000Z. Sources: 64. Developments: 2.

On August 13, 2026, a landslide-like event near the Birhi River caused water and debris to flood an under-construction tunnel at the Tehri Hydro Development Corporation (THDC) Vishnugad-Pipalkoti hydroelectric project in the Chamoli district of Uttarakhand, India. The incident trapped approximately 22 workers inside the three-kilometre structure.

As of August 18, the confirmed death toll has reached 10 following the recovery of the bodies of workers Lukas Topno and Chetan Poyam. Of the 22 people caught in the tunnel, 12 were rescued with injuries, while 10 fatalities have been confirmed.

Rescue operations, involving the NDRF, SDRF, the Indian Army, and local police, utilized suction pumps and heavy machinery to clear sludge and debris to facilitate recovery efforts. Uttarakhand Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami has ordered a magisterial inquiry to investigate the technical and administrative causes of the accident and to establish safety precautions for future construction projects.

## Claims

- The body of one more missing worker was retrieved from the tunnel on Tuesday. (corroborated by 3 sources)
- The death toll in the THDC tunnel collapse at Pipalkoti has risen to nine. (corroborated by 3 sources)
- Search efforts for one remaining missing worker are ongoing. (corroborated by 3 sources)
- The accident occurred on August 13 at the under-construction THDC tunnel in Hat-Siyasain, Mayapur, Pipalkoti. (corroborated by 3 sources)
- A landslide-like event near the Birhi River triggered a surge of water and debris, trapping workers. (corroborated by 3 sources)
- Rescue teams are removing sludge and debris and draining water using suction pumps. (corroborated by 3 sources)
- Uttarakhand Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami ordered a magisterial inquiry into the accident. (corroborated by 2 sources)

## Timeline

### 2026-08-18: Pipalkoti tunnel collapse death toll reaches 10 in Uttarakhand

The death toll from the Pipalkoti tunnel collapse in Uttarakhand, India, has risen to 10 following a landslide at a THDC hydroelectric project site. A magisterial inquiry has been ordered.

8 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/pipalkoti-tunnel-collapse-death-toll-rises-to-nine

### 2026-08-13: Chamoli tunnel accident kills seven workers in Uttarakhand

Seven workers died and three remain missing after a landslide flooded an under-construction hydroelectric tunnel in Uttarakhand, India. Rescue operations are ongoing in the Chamoli district.

61 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/chamoli-tunnel-accident-rescue-underway-for-workers-trapped-by-debris-in-uttarakhand

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Cite as: Uttarakhand tunnel collapse accident. CLSTR, https://clstr.news/situations/uttarakhand-tunnel-collapse-accident