Bhotekoshi Trishuli Flood: Over 400 Workers Trapped Inside Tunnel, Still Alive, Officials Estimate
The flood near the Rasuwagadhi border with China has left more than 1,000 workers employed at various hydroelectric projects in the area uncontactable, officials from the Ministry of Energy have revealed. The National Disaster Risk Reduction Authority reports that 933 people remain missing from these hydroelectric projects alone. Among them, over 400 individuals are believed to be trapped inside tunnels of different hydroelectric facilities, with rescue efforts actively underway, the ministry stated. Following discussions with promoters of various hydroelectric projects on Friday, the ministry is updating details of the uncontactable and trapped personnel.
Mohan Shakya, spokesperson for the Ministry of Energy, stated that more than 400 people are estimated to be trapped inside the tunnel of the Korean-invested Upper Trishuli-1 Hydroelectric Project. “More than 1,000 workers at the hydroelectric projects are currently uncontactable,” Shakya said. “A significant number—around 400—are within the tunnel at Upper Trishuli-1, according to preliminary reports. Additionally, 176 people remain unreachable outside the tunnel.”
Project liaison officer Giri Adhikari shared that rescue operations are challenging due to sediment blocking the mouth of the project’s 10-kilometer-long tunnel. “The tunnel has been breached (breakthrough) by the sediment. The emergency access routes (audit tunnels) remain open, ensuring no oxygen shortages inside. However, there is a lack of food and water. If rescued promptly, those trapped have a chance of survival,” he explained.
According to Adhikari, four workers managed to exit the tunnel on their own on Thursday. They reported that approximately 400 individuals are inside the tunnel, which corresponds with the number of personnel working there that day. He added that since all paths leading to the tunnel have been washed away, the only way to reach those trapped is by helicopter, hovering along the cliffs to access the tunnel entrance.
