Chamoli Tunnel Rescue: Search Continues for Two Missing Workers Amid Flooding and Debris

Search operations for Lucas Topno of Jharkhand and Chetan Poyam of Chhattisgarh continued on August 17, with rescuers battling flooding, debris and heavy machinery inside the under-construction tunnel at THDC India Limited’s Vishnugad-Pipalkoti hydroelectric project in Chamoli district.

The August 13 accident occurred after a landslide and subsidence sent a sudden surge of water and debris into the tunnel, blocking a section of the underground passage. Officials have not yet established the precise cause; a magisterial inquiry has been ordered to determine the circumstances.

The operation is being conducted by the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF), State Disaster Response Force (SDRF), Indo-Tibetan Border Police (ITBP), Uttarakhand Police and other agencies and technical teams. Rescuers are systematically checking accessible sections and gaps within the debris for signs of the missing workers.

A central element is dewatering. Powerful pumps are continuously removing accumulated water to lower the level and create safer access to affected sections. Teams are simultaneously using heavy equipment and modern technical resources to remove mud, rocks and other obstructions. Trapped construction machinery is also being cleared because it prevents rescuers from reaching deeper portions.

The operation faces serious challenges. Persistent water inflow has kept parts of the tunnel flooded, restricting movement and making entry hazardous. Large quantities of mud and rock have created unstable barriers that must be cleared carefully to avoid further collapse. Heavy machinery trapped underground adds another obstruction and complicates debris removal.

Rainfall in the Himalayan terrain is an additional concern because renewed precipitation can increase water inflow and ground instability. Rescue teams must therefore balance speed with safety while progressively opening access.

The accident has claimed eight lives, while 12 injured workers were rescued and hospitalized. With Topno and Poyam still missing, authorities are continuing the search while the inquiry separately examines how the landslide, flooding and debris flow occurred.

The immediate priority remains clear: pump out water, remove obstructions and search every reachable void inside the affected tunnel until the missing workers are located.