Rescue Operations Underway in Seven Hydropower Project Tunnels Affected by Rasuwa Flood

Kathmandu. Nepali Army, Armed Police, and tunnel experts from abroad are conducting search and rescue operations in the tunnels of seven hydropower projects in disaster-affected areas. The Directorate of Public Relations and Information of the Army stated that search and rescue operations are being carried out in the tunnels of projects completed and under construction from Timure in Rasuwa to Betrawati in Nuwakot. Search and rescue operations have been ongoing in the Bhote Koshi area since the flood on Bhadra 10. Since there is no place for the MI-17 helicopter to land due to erosion by Bhote Koshi at the Chilime Hydropower Project site, efforts are underway to transport heavy equipment from Syaphrubesi to the Chilime tunnel. Army Spokesperson (Brigadier General) Rajaram Basnet told Ratopati that rescuers have removed large boulders from the road by blasting and are trying to build a road to transport large equipment. Rescuers have reached 115 meters inside the tunnel at Chilime. Brigadier General Basnet stated that the search is being carried out by removing debris using a mini excavator in the tunnel. Army and Indian rescuers are working at Chilime. Rescuers had rescued two people alive from the tunnel of Trishuli-3 'A' Hydropower Project on Bhadra 19. Sanjay Sah and Kabir Maharjan were rescued alive from there by rescuers from the Nepali Army and Armed Police. Similarly, security personnel rescued a Chinese national, Luaito, alive from 225 meters inside the tunnel of Upper Trishuli-1 Hydropower Project on Bhadra 20. Brigadier General Basnet said that work is currently underway in seven tunnels for the search and rescue of those stranded due to the Bhote Koshi flood. According to the Army, it is estimated that only 121 people may be trapped in the tunnels. However, the Independent Power Producers' Association of Nepal (IPPAN) claims that 898 people trapped in project sites and hydropower tunnels in Rasuwa and Nuwakot are missing. Brigadier General Basnet clarified that based on the shift details of technicians and staff on daily duty, in coordination with project employees, it is suspected that 121 people are trapped in the tunnels. The Army continues its search in the seven affected tunnels. According to the Army, the status of the search and rescue in the tunnels is as follows: 1. Rasuwagadhi Hydropower Project: Missing - 93 people, Found - 0. According to IPPAN, 93 people are missing from the Rasuwagadhi project site. In the tunnel of this project located in Timure, project representatives and army rescuers are searching up to the 'control room' of the 'powerhouse'. 2. Rasuwa Bhote Koshi Hydropower Project: Missing - 4 people, Found - 1 body. A body has been found in the tunnel of this project located in Rongga, Gosainkunda Rural Municipality-5, Rasuwa. The body was found during a search and rescue operation using a drone. Further search is ongoing. 3. Langtang Khola Hydropower Project: Missing - 41 people, Found - 2 bodies. The Army stated that a joint rescue team is working on this 20 MW capacity project, which is in the testing phase. Two bodies were recovered from the tunnel of this project. 4. Chilime Hydropower Project: Missing - 8 people, Found - 0. At this 22 MW capacity project, rescuers including Indians have created a walkable path using 6-meter large pipes. Rescuers have removed large boulders from the road to transport heavy equipment from Syaphrubesi to the Chilime tunnel by blasting. The Army stated that rescuers have entered 115 meters inside the tunnel, removing debris. Indian tunnel experts are also working here. Rescuers have reached the uphill and downhill 'bend' areas inside the tunnel. Army Spokesperson Basnet informed that efforts are being made to transport large equipment there as blasting is not possible. 5. Upper Trishuli-1 Hydropower Project: Missing - 332 people, Found - 1 rescued alive. It is claimed that 332 employees and workers at the 'Upper Trishuli-1' project, under construction in the Haku and Mailung areas of Rasuwa, are missing due to the disaster. This 216 MW capacity project is being built by Nepal Water and Energy Development Company. Chinese, Nepali Army, and Korean tunnel expert teams are engaged in rescue there. A Chinese national, Luaito, was rescued alive by rescuers from 225 meters inside the tunnel. Rescuers are currently searching up to 400 meters inside the same tunnel. 6. Trishuli-3 'A' Hydropower Project: Missing - 42 people, Found - 2 rescued alive, 1 body. Rescuers had rescued two people alive from the tunnel of this project on Bhadra 19. Sanjay Sah and Kabir Maharjan were rescued alive from there by rescuers from the Nepali Army and Armed Police. In the powerhouse and tunnel of this project, 34 army personnel, 4 armed police personnel, and project engineers are also engaged in search and rescue. 7. Trishuli-3 'B' Hydropower Project: Missing - 191 people, Found - 0. 101 army personnel have been deployed for search and rescue at this project. They are digging with three excavators along with project technicians. Nothing has been found even after digging up to 23 feet. Rescuers are continuing their search in the project's office and residential areas.