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Bhotekoshi floods devastate hydropower projects in Nepal, hundreds of workers missing
🇳🇵 Nepal /Disasters & Emergencies

Bhotekoshi floods devastate hydropower projects in Nepal, hundreds of workers missing

From OnlineKhabar English · () English

Translated from English and summarized by DistantNews. Read the original for the full story.

At a glance

News Named sources Ongoing story
  • Floods in the Bhotekoshi River have severely damaged 13 hydropower projects in Nepal's Rasuwa and Nuwakot districts.
  • Hundreds of workers at the affected sites are in distress, with many initially reported out of contact.
  • Rescue efforts are underway but hampered by damaged infrastructure and communication outages, with a significant number of workers still unaccounted for.

Severe floods in the Bhotekoshi River have inflicted significant damage on multiple hydropower projects in Nepal's Rasuwa and Nuwakot districts, causing distress among hundreds of workers. The Independent Power Producers’ Association, Nepal (IPPAN) reports that 13 hydropower projects sustained direct damage from the floods and landslides.

The damage is greater than expected. Right now, everyone’s focus is on rescue and relief.

— Uttam BhlonDescribing the impact of the floods on hydropower projects.

Initially, 933 workers at the affected projects were out of contact. While 254 have since been rescued and some others have made contact, a substantial number remain unaccounted for. IPPAN Senior Vice President Uttam Bhlon described the damage as greater than anticipated, with the immediate focus on rescue and relief operations.

Rescue and relief efforts are underway at most hydropower projects where immediate assistance is needed, but the situation remains critical at some locations.

— Uttam BhlonProviding an update on the ongoing rescue and relief operations.

Projects including Langtang Hydropower, Upper Trishuli, Trishuli-3 ‘B’, and Chilime require urgent rescue. Some workers are feared trapped inside tunnels. Rescue efforts face considerable challenges due to disrupted road and communication links, with mobile and telephone services unavailable in many areas. This lack of connectivity makes it difficult for authorities to ascertain the exact whereabouts and condition of workers.

The whereabouts of 576 workers at the Upper Trishuli-1 Hydropower Project alone remain unknown.

— Uttam BhlonHighlighting the scale of missing persons at a specific project.

The situation is particularly critical at the Upper Trishuli-1 Hydropower Project, where the whereabouts of 576 out of approximately 1,350 employed workers remain unknown. Attempts to use private helicopters for rescue have been hindered by a lack of suitable landing areas and safety concerns. IPPAN emphasizes the need for state coordination to carry out immediate rescue operations, particularly for those potentially trapped within project tunnels, as time is critical for survival.

There are 576 people out of contact, and we do not have clear information about where they are.

— Uttam BhlonExpressing concern over the number of unaccounted-for workers.
About this summary

Originally published by OnlineKhabar English in English. Translated, summarized, and contextualized automatically by DistantNews, with a note on how the source frames the story. Not individually reviewed before publishing. How this works.

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