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Nepal army races to rescue 100 trapped in tunnel after flood

From The Straits Times · () English

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

At a glance

News From a news agency Ongoing story
  • Around 100 people remain trapped in a tunnel at the Trishuli 3A hydropower project in Nepal following a devastating flood two days prior.
  • Nepali army helicopters are attempting rescue operations amid challenging conditions, struggling to locate tunnel entry points.
  • The flood, triggered by a glacial collapse, has caused widespread destruction, severing vital infrastructure and impacting the country's hydropower sector.

Nepali army rescue teams are urgently working to save approximately 100 individuals trapped inside a tunnel at the Trishuli 3A hydropower project. The tunnel was inundated by a severe flood two days ago, creating a perilous situation.

Our focus is in search and rescue of people... Some people are trapped in the tunnel of Trishuli 3A hydropower project.

— Raja Ram BasnetNepal Army spokesman describing the ongoing rescue operations.

"Our focus is in search and rescue of people... Some people are trapped in the tunnel of Trishuli 3A hydropower project," stated Nepal Army spokesman Raja Ram Basnet. He added that two helicopters have been dispatched, but the operation is difficult due to the challenge of locating the tunnel's entry points. Relief efforts are also underway to support those who have been rescued.

The prime minister's office acknowledged the army's efforts in a statement, noting they were working under "tough conditions." Earlier reports indicated that a Nepali Army team had successfully rescued 350 workers and locals from the tunnel amidst extremely risky circumstances, adverse weather, and rapid floodwaters. However, the army continued its efforts to evacuate over 100 more people still trapped in the same tunnel.

Two helicopters have been dispatched, but it is challenging because it is tough to even locate the entry points of the tunnel.

— Raja Ram BasnetNepal Army spokesman explaining the difficulties faced during the rescue.

Survivors have described scenes of immense devastation, with roads, bridges, and hydropower infrastructure destroyed. Dev Shrestha, a worker airlifted from the site, recounted, "There were at least 400 workers at the site. More people died than were rescued." Another survivor, Buddha Tamang, explained he was only saved because he was inside a tunnel when the flood struck, allowing him to eventually reach help after being marooned for over 24 hours.

There were at least 400 workers at the site. More people died than were rescued.

— Dev ShresthaA rescued worker describing the scale of the disaster.

The disaster, believed to have been caused by a glacial collapse triggering a massive flow of icy debris, has had a significant impact on Nepal's mountainous region. The destruction has severed critical transportation routes and severely affected the nation's key hydropower sector, with multiple projects sustaining heavy damage.

I survived as I was in the tunnel. The senior officers working on the other side, they were all swept away.

— Buddha TamangA worker explaining how he survived the flood.
About this summary

Originally published by The Straits Times 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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