Rescue teams in Nepal are racing against time to reach dozens of workers believed trapped inside hydropower tunnels following a devastating glacier-triggered flood that has killed more than 1,200 people and left over 4,200 missing.
The disaster struck when a glacier collapsed near Nepal’s border with China, unleashing a massive flood that devastated towns and valleys across the mountainous region. At least 1,204 people have been confirmed dead, with authorities increasingly focusing rescue efforts on hydroelectric project tunnels where workers may have survived after being cut off by floodwaters and debris.
Rescuers believe about 900 missing workers could be sheltering inside tunnel chambers that contain air supplies. “We are very confident that there is life in there because there is food and water in the building, that was likely built for communication purposes and as a resting place,” said Amshu Kiran Shahi, a board member of the Nepal Electricity Authority.
Major rescue operations are underway at four hydropower projects. At Trishuli-3A, officials expect a dry chamber exists inside with oxygen flowing through the tunnel, with pipes also being used to push oxygen inside. Two sites where about 90 people are missing offer the strongest prospects for finding survivors due to air presence in the tunnels. Specialized rescue teams from India, China and the United States are involved in the tunnel rescue attempts.
While hope remains for tunnel survivors, authorities acknowledge prospects are fading elsewhere. “The hope of finding survivors is decreasing,” said Phanindra Paudel, a senior official at Nepal’s National Emergency Operation Center. Prime Minister Balendra Shah told parliament the search would continue, stating: “Our priority remains clear: To continue our search and rescue operations, find those who are still missing and continue supporting everyone affected.”
Across the border in Tibet, China has raised its death toll to 21, with 541 others missing. The missing include 104 Nepali citizens, 49 Indians and 33 Latvians believed to be part of tourist groups. Most Indians were visiting Lake Mansarovar and Mount Kailash, holy pilgrimage sites for Hindus. Beijing has reopened the road to the Gyirong border crossing and deployed heavy machinery, excavators, rescue teams and search dogs to the disaster zone.
In affected Nepali communities, residents are salvaging belongings from destroyed villages. Children in Nuwakot and Rasuwa areas are showing signs of psychological distress after witnessing the disaster. Prime Minister Shah said the government is restoring power and telecommunications, with 95% of telecom services in affected areas restored by Tuesday. The disaster has disrupted 431 megawatts of electricity-generating capacity.
What This Means for Expats: Indian expats should be aware that 49 Indian nationals remain missing in Tibet, many from pilgrimage groups visiting Mount Kailash and Lake Mansarovar. If you have family or colleagues in affected areas, contact local authorities or your embassy for assistance.
Source: Kuwait Times
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