Nuwakot, Nepal, September 13: Rescue operations are underway at Nepal’s Chilime hydropower project, where six workers are believed to be trapped inside a tunnel following devastating floods.
Indian and Nepali rescue teams are using heavy machinery to remove mud and debris and reach an underground powerhouse. India’s Ambassador to Nepal, Naveen Srivastava, said an excavator, loader and Bobcat were brought into the tunnel, allowing teams to clear around 70 metres of debris.
According to the project manager, the underground powerhouse is located about 60 metres farther inside the tunnel. Rescue teams were expected to continue operations through the night in an effort to reach the site.
The Border Roads Organisation has prepared the approach road to the rescue location, while the Nepal Army has constructed more than one kilometre of access road from Syafrubesi towards the Chilime tunnel to facilitate the movement of rescue equipment.
Nepali Army personnel and Indian rescue teams are working jointly inside the tunnel. The Army has also deployed more than 100 personnel for rescue operations at the Upper Trishuli-3B hydropower project.
However, there has been no official confirmation that rescuers have established contact with the six workers at Chilime. Reports of an air pocket near the suspected location of the workers have also emerged, but authorities have not confirmed whether they are alive or whether communication has been established.
The floods, triggered by an ice-rock avalanche near the Nepal-Tibet border on August 26, devastated several parts of northern and central Nepal, killing nearly 1,400 people, while more than 5,000 remain missing.
The Bhotekoshi River carried floodwaters downstream, destroying homes, vehicles, roads and bridges and severely damaging hydropower infrastructure.
Around 100 people are believed to remain trapped in nearly a dozen tunnels connected to hydropower projects in the flood-affected areas.
