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🇳🇵 Nepal /Disasters & Emergencies

Nepali Army says 121 people may be trapped in flood-hit hydropower tunnels

From Kathmandu Post · () English

Summarized by DistantNews. Read the original for the full story.

At a glance

News Official statement Ongoing story
  • Around 121 people may be trapped inside tunnels at hydropower projects damaged by floods in Nepal’s Bhotekoshi area, the Nepali Army said.
  • About 900 people were initially reported unaccounted for, but the army clarified that the figure included all people associated with the projects, not only those inside tunnels.
  • Search teams are working at several sites, and the army said operations would continue until the tunnels are searched unless the government orders them to stop.

Around 121 people are believed to be trapped inside tunnels at hydropower projects hit by floods in Nepal’s Bhotekoshi area, the Nepali Army said. The floods damaged about 11 hydropower projects, including several in Rasuwa district.

The figure of around 900 provided by the projects does not represent people trapped inside the tunnels.

· Nepali Army representativeThe army clarified that the initial figure included all people associated with the affected hydropower projects.

Projects initially reported that roughly 900 people were unaccounted for. At a briefing, however, the army said that number covered people associated with the affected facilities and did not mean they were all trapped underground. “The figure of around 900 provided by the projects does not represent people trapped inside the tunnels,” an army representative said. “They are people associated with the projects. We estimate that around 121 people are actually trapped inside the tunnels.”

The army said rescue operations would continue until all tunnels had been breached and searched, unless the government decided to end them. “We will continue until all the tunnels have been broken through, or until the government decides to stop the operation,” the representative said. “Our hope is still alive.”

They are people associated with the projects. We estimate that around 121 people are actually trapped inside the tunnels.

· Nepali Army representativeThe representative gave the army’s estimate of those believed trapped underground.

At Rasuwagadhi, a joint team of rescuers, rapid-response personnel and project representatives reached the powerhouse and control room. At Trishuli 3A, troops equipped with rescue gear continued searches inside the powerhouse and tunnels. At Trishuli 3B, soldiers entered through one audit tunnel and exited through another while crews cleared debris to make room for excavation equipment. No people or other materials had been found there.

We will continue until all the tunnels have been broken through, or until the government decides to stop the operation.

· Nepali Army representativeThe army described the planned duration of the search and rescue operation.

At Chilime Hydro, teams including foreign technicians used a small excavator and pump to clear mud and sludge. A larger excavator flown by helicopter to Syabrubesi was being moved to the tunnel site by ropes. At Upper Trishuli-1, a team including foreign technicians continued searching with thermal-imaging cameras.

Our hope is still alive.

· Nepali Army representativeThe representative expressed hope for those believed trapped.
About this summary

Originally published by Kathmandu Post. 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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