12 labourers injured as landslip hits hydropower project site in Uttarakhand’s Chamoli

Twelve labourers were injured on Saturday (August 2, 2025) when a landslip hit the Tehri Hydro Development Corporation Limited’s (THDC) Vishnugad hydroelectric project site near Helang in Uttarakhand’s Chamoli district, an official said.

There were around 300 labourers at work at the project site when the landslide occurred, District Magistrate Sandeep Tiwari said. They ran for their lives as a rock began to roll down from a hill. Eight of them sustained minor injuries, while four of them were seriously injured, Mr. Tiwari said.

All injured labourers have been admitted to the Vivekanand Hospital in Pipalkoti, he said.

One of them has a leg fracture. Another worker, who needed a spinal MRI scan to reveal the severity of his injury, was being taken in an ambulance to a hospital in Srinagar, Pauri district, the District Magistrate said.

Work has been suspended for the time being at the project site. "THDC has been asked to resume work at the site only after ensuring the safety of those at work," Mr. Tiwari said.

Personnel from the State Disaster Response Force, police, and the Health Department have rushed to the project site.

THDC is building a barrage to regulate Alaknanda river water from Helang near Joshimath. Water from the barrage will be taken to Pipalkoti through a tunnel, where electricity will be generated with turbines.

In 2021, the barrage site was damaged due to a flood in the Alaknanda river.