Nepal Floods: 215 Hydropower Workers Missing, 212 Await Rescue

Devastating floods in Nepal's Bhotekoshi region have left 215 employees from five hydropower projects out of contact. The Independent Power Producers’ Association, Nepal (IPPAN) reported that the workers have been unreachable since Wednesday's severe flooding.

At the under-construction 216 MW Upper Trishuli-1 hydropower project, 76 employees from contractor Andritz Hydro are missing, including Nepali and foreign nationals. Among them are 11 employees of project developer Nepal Water and Energy Development Company, including 8 Korean nationals. Seven staff from project consultants Zed Consult and Lama Xavier’s JV are also unaccounted for. IPPAN stated that 12 employees working in the headworks area and over 200 in the powerhouse area are awaiting rescue, with unconfirmed reports of an initial rescue phase.

At the Rasuwagadhi (111 MW) project, 51 employees are out of contact. While three individuals managed to reach higher ground in Timure, communication has not been established with any of them. Eight employees at the Mailung Khola (5 MW) project's powerhouse have been out of contact since Wednesday, and efforts are underway to arrange a helicopter for site assessment. Two employees of Sinohydro are reported missing, while five others have taken shelter in a nearby village, awaiting rescue.

Additionally, 60 people, comprising 25 staff and 35 workers, are trapped in a tunnel at the Langtang Khola (20 MW) project due to the same flood. Their condition remains unknown, and despite attempts by developer company representatives to reach the area, a helicopter has not yet been arranged for their rescue.

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There are unconfirmed reports that a first phase of rescue has taken place from the project site.