Seven Workers Killed as Landslide Floods Hydropower Tunnel in India

At least seven workers have been killed and 13 others injured after a landslide caused water and debris to flood an under-construction hydropower tunnel in Uttarakhand, northern India.

The incident occurred late Thursday at a state-run hydropower project, trapping several construction workers inside the tunnel.

Rescue teams were deployed to evacuate those trapped, with officials using rafts and head-mounted lights to navigate the flooded tunnel.

Three workers are still reported missing.
Uttarakhand Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami said rescuing the remaining workers was the government’s top priority and described the operation as a major emergency response.

The accident occurred amid heavy monsoon rains in the Himalayan state, which have triggered flooding and landslides in several areas.

Officials said the rescue operation has been complicated by the continued flow of water into the tunnel, making it difficult for emergency workers to reach the areas where the missing workers may be trapped.

Environmental experts have warned that rapid and poorly planned construction in the fragile Himalayan region could be increasing the risk of disasters.

The incident follows another deadly accident last month, when 20 workers were killed in a tunnel connected to a hydroelectric project in Sikkim. In 2023, 41 workers were rescued after being trapped for 17 days following a tunnel collapse in Uttarakhand.

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