Tunnel collapses in Uttarakhand's Chamoli, several workers trapped

At least 10 workers have been trapped as an under-construction tunnel collapsed in the Chamoli district of Uttarakhand on Thursday evening.

The incident took place in the Pipalkoti area of Chamoli. According to Chamoli District Magistrate Gaurav Kumar, around 18 workers were inside the tunnel when the incident occurred.

Uttarakhand Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami has expressed deep concern over the incident of debris and water entering the THDC tunnel at Pipalkoti in Chamoli district and directed officials to conduct relief and rescue operations on a war footing, according to ANI.

The Chief Minister said, "Considering the seriousness of the incident, teams of the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) and State Disaster Response Force (SDRF) have been immediately dispatched to the site. The district administration and all concerned departments and agencies have been directed to undertake swift relief and rescue operations in close coordination."

The collapsed tunnel is part of the Vishnugad-Pipalkoti Hydroelectric Project being developed by THDC India. The project is located along the Alaknanda River in Chamoli district.

It had been raining heavily in the district for the last few days. On Monday, strong currents due to rising water level in a river had swept away a bridge in the district's Niti Valley region.