In a tragic incident that has gripped Uttarakhand, the death toll from the Pipalkoti tunnel accident has unfortunately climbed to eight. This somber update arrived on Saturday as dedicated rescue teams successfully recovered another body from the disaster site. The arduous operation continues relentlessly, with efforts focused on locating and extracting two additional individuals who remain trapped within the confines of the under-construction THDC tunnel.
Providing a detailed account of the ongoing rescue mission, Vivek Prakash, the Additional District Magistrate (ADM) of Chamoli, articulated the immense challenges faced by the teams. He highlighted the severe weather conditions and persistently high water levels as significant impediments to reaching the missing personnel. “We have been putting in efforts… There was a lot of water there. We have managed to reduce the water level. Today, one body has been recovered and sent to the hospital by ambulance. We are still searching for the other two [people]; our teams are at it, and we expect to recover them soon,” ADM Prakash conveyed to ANI, underscoring the determination of the rescuers.
The ADM further emphasized the collaborative spirit driving the operation, noting the involvement of a multitude of specialized agencies. He stated, “Currently, we are taking continuous help from NDRF, SDRF, the Army, and various paramilitary forces. However, the weather is posing a major challenge and creating a hurdle. The water level inside keeps increasing.” This intricate coordination between different forces is crucial in tackling such a complex disaster.
Recounting the initial response, Prakash elaborated that local administration and police forces were the first to arrive at the scene, setting the groundwork for subsequent efforts. “We have been engaged here since the evening before last. The entire administration team and police team were the first responders to arrive. After that, we called everyone—SDRF, DDRF, and NDRF arrived. The SDRF team, in particular, has done a lot of work,” he added, praising the immediate actions of those on the ground.
Addressing the technical difficulties encountered, the ADM explained that expert assistance was sought to manage the severe flooding within the tunnel. “The staff and workers from the HCC company and THDC helped in the recovery. We tried to get them out last night as well; we were there all night, but because there was so much water, we couldn’t manage it. Later, we brought in pumps from NTPC and THDC to drain the water. Because of those pumps, the water level has decreased significantly. We found one body today, and there are two more that we will recover soon,” he detailed, highlighting the critical role of specialized equipment in mitigating the water hazard.
Earlier in the day, Uttarakhand Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami issued a resolute statement asserting that the safety of personnel involved in construction projects must be the “top priority at any cost.” He has also mandated a magisterial inquiry into the tragic incident to ascertain the precise circumstances leading to the accident.
In his remarks regarding the incident, Chief Minister Dhami explained, “At the THDC tunnel under construction in Chamoli, a sudden surge of debris and water trapped 22 workers who were on duty at the time… Search operations are ongoing for the three individuals yet to be rescued. All agencies, including the NDRF, SDRF, and the Uttarakhand government’s district administration, are keeping a constant watch on the situation.” He further stressed the initiation of a comprehensive investigation aimed at preventing similar occurrences in the future and pinpointing the exact cause of the sudden influx of water and debris. “I have ordered a magisterial inquiry to uncover the facts clearly and determine what precautions need to be taken in the future. The safety of the personnel working on any construction project must be our top priority, at any cost. I issued instructions to this effect yesterday,” the Chief Minister reiterated, emphasizing accountability and proactive measures.
The calamitous event unfolded following a landslide-like incident near the Birhi River, which resulted in a powerful surge of water and debris inundating the tunnel, trapping the workers inside, as reported by NDRF team commander Amrit Lal Meena. The ongoing rescue operations are a testament to the coordinated efforts of multiple elite units, including the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF), State Disaster Response Force (SDRF), District Disaster Response Force (DDRF), and the Indo-Tibetan Border Police (ITBP). The persistent flooding and accumulation of sludge inside the tunnel continue to pose significant obstacles, severely restricting movement and making it exceptionally challenging to conduct a thorough search for the remaining trapped individuals.
