894 people remain missing at 11 hydropower projects after Bhotekoshi flood

Rescue teams are still searching for 894 people reported missing or out of contact at 11 hydropower projects in Nepal after flooding on the Bhotekoshi River.

The largest number of missing people is at the 216-megawatt Upper Trishuli-1 Hydropower Project in Rasuwa, where 573 people remain unaccounted for. Three people were rescued on Monday. About 300 of those reported missing are believed to have been working inside tunnels, although it is not known whether they were inside when the flood struck or preparing to enter. Around 1,400 people were estimated to be working at the project that day.

Rescue efforts continued inside flooded tunnels at the 60-megawatt Upper Trishuli-3A project. Nepal Electricity Authority teams were clearing the tunnel entrance, removing water and trying to create an accessible route, but water inside the tunnel continued to obstruct the operation. Teams also reached the Langtang Khola project, where people trapped inside a tunnel had not been rescued. Nepal Army and Indian Army personnel, together with technical experts, took part in the effort.

Searches also continued at the 37-megawatt Upper Trishuli-3B project. Floodwaters swept away structures, while the nearby 220-kilovolt Trishuli-3B Hub substation was completely damaged, making it harder to locate missing people.

At the 111-megawatt Rasuwagadhi project, 93 people, including 49 employees, remained missing. A Nepal Army-led team entered the tunnel with engineers and drone operators, but drones found no people in the section inspected. In Nuwakot, one person was missing from each of the Trishuli and Devighat projects, while 42 others were missing from Upper Trishuli-3A.