Uttarakhand Disaster Management Minister Madan Kaushik visited the site of the recent tunnel accident in Chamoli on August 15, 2026, to assess the ongoing rescue operations. He confirmed that teams from the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF), State Disaster Response Force (SDRF), and local police are actively engaged in searching for two workers who remain unaccounted for. During this operation, one of the missing workers was discovered but was unfortunately pronounced dead at the hospital.

Kaushik noted that on the previous day, seven bodies had been recovered, leaving three individuals still missing until one was located on the latest day. “Our rescue operation is currently ongoing. Teams from the NDRF, SDRF, and local police are working on the ground, and this operation will continue until it is fully concluded,” he informed reporters.

Challenges Faced by Rescue Teams

The rescue teams have encountered several difficulties, particularly due to rising water levels inside the tunnel following the incident. The Minister explained that the current water level is approximately one metre deep, creating hurdles for the teams. “We have only managed to inspect the ‘zero point’, the origin of the incident, and have penetrated a few hundred metres into the area,” he stated. He emphasised that it might take an additional day or two to advance further into the site.

Chamoli District Magistrate Gaurav Kumar confirmed the ongoing search efforts, reiterating that the search for the remaining two workers continues without pause. “Three workers were missing, and one has been declared dead after being recovered,” Kumar mentioned, outlining the efforts of the rescue teams.

The Minister had also engaged with protesting workers at the site, discussing concerns about safety measures and compensation related to the incident. A commitment was made to conduct a thorough inquiry into the safety protocols as well as a magisterial investigation, with opinions being collected from various stakeholders.

Official Response and Future Measures

The death toll from the tunnel incident rose to eight following recovery of another body on the same day, while two workers remain missing. In response to the tragedy, Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami has ordered a magisterial inquiry. He underscored that the safety of workers engaged in construction must be a paramount concern, with the inquiry aiming to uncover the facts and establish necessary precautions to avert similar occurrences in the future.

Political voices have also spoken out, with Congress leader Harikrishna Bhatt advocating for safety audits of ongoing infrastructure projects. Bhatt expressed discontent with the announced compensation of Rs 4 lakh for the victims, stating that a human life cannot simply be measured in financial terms. He emphasised that comprehensive safety audits should have been performed considering the precarious conditions that led to the incident.

The tragic accident occurred as a result of a landslide-like event near the Birhi River, which caused a significant influx of water and debris into the tunnel, ultimately trapping the workers inside. Various authorities, including the NDRF, SDRF, District Disaster Response Force (DDRF), Indo-Tibetan Border Police (ITBP), and the Army, are collaborating in the ongoing rescue efforts. Work to lower the water levels through pumps provided by NTPC and THDC is aiding the operations, allowing rescue teams to make further progress.

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