‘More Challenging than the Earthquake’: Difficulties in Rescue Operations after Rasuwa Flood, but Hope for Survivors Remains
Photo Credit, Reuters
Officials from security agencies involved in search and rescue operations following the Rasuwa flood have described this as a far more challenging operation compared to the massive earthquake they previously experienced.
The main rescue efforts are concentrated in the upper regions of Rasuwa and Nuwakot districts, areas immediately impacted by the flood, according to security officials. Thousands of security personnel have been deployed.
As of Saturday, people trapped in difficult conditions have been rescued alive, and search and rescue operations are expected to continue for several more days.
Many workers trapped inside tunnels of the Upper Trishuli Hydroelectric Project were rescued by the army both by helicopter and ground operations.
A video posted by the Nepali Army on their Facebook page shows painstaking and complex efforts to reach the entrance of the tunnel filled with mud and debris.
By Saturday, the Nepal Electricity Authority reported that 104 people had been rescued from various hydroelectric project tunnels.
However, project officials have indicated that hundreds of people still remain trapped inside the tunnels.
Official government data states that by 7 pm on Saturday, the bodies of 579 individuals affected by the incident on Bhadra 10 (Nepali calendar) had been recovered. Approximately two thousand people remain unaccounted for.
‘Searching Amid the Quagmire’
Photo Credit, Reuters
Army spokesperson Rajaram Basnet reported that current rescue operations are primarily focused within the tunnels.
“Excavators cannot be brought across certain areas. In some locations, ice has formed, making it difficult to locate the exact tunnel entrances,” said spokesperson Basnet.
“Progress became possible only after bringing in personnel familiar with the hydroelectric project sites.”
Nepal Police spokesperson Abi Narayan Kafle stated that search and rescue efforts are concentrated along riverbanks, where settlements are covered with muddy sand, making operations—from searching to retrieving bodies—extremely complicated.
Armed Police deputy spokesperson Shailendra Thapa explained that the search has involved venturing into lower floodplain areas to find “either survivors or bodies,” which presents significant challenges unique to this disaster.
About 15,000 security personnel are engaged in search and rescue operations, including the Nepali Army, Armed Police, and Nepal Police forces.
Officials stated that due to the complexity of the situation, rescue efforts by local residents without appropriate training have limited effectiveness.
‘Dependence on Helicopters’
Deputy spokesperson Shailendra Thapa of the Armed Police Force shared that all available rescue personnel have been deployed for this disaster response.
“Divers, searches in collapsed buildings, canine search teams, long-line rescues via helicopters, and medical teams have all been utilized,” said Thapa.
“Currently, many areas are without electricity. Some trapped individuals have contacted us before their mobile batteries ran out, allowing rescuers to track their locations.”
Photo Credit, Reuters
“The main problem currently is that bridges have been destroyed, cutting off road access. The helicopter missions are also hampered by muddy terrain. Houses have collapsed and there is risk of additional flooding,” Kafle explained.
“When we reach affected homes after receiving calls or information, rescuers have to navigate through mud and debris. In such cases, helicopters are used wherever possible. Just on Sunday we successfully coordinated with the Nepali Army to rescue people alive in Rasuwa.”
Security personnel identified a major challenge being that bodies of residents from Rasuwa and Nuwakot are found very far away in the lower flood plains.
“Identifying and processing bodies in such cases is extremely complicated,” Kafle said.
Army spokesperson Rajaram Basnet stated that nearly 900 people treated at army health camps have been discharged after rescue.
“Only a few have been referred to other hospitals,” Basnet added.
“On Thursday alone, 900 individuals were rescued, and by 2 pm Friday, more than 700 had been successfully airlifted.”
‘Hope Remains’
Photo Credit, Reuters
“We expect that some individuals may still be hiding in caves or near mountains, unable to contact or free themselves without help. We are working on that hope, so we have not yet given up on the possibility of live rescues,” said Thapa.
The Nepal Police have deployed teams led by Senior Deputy Superintendents across various districts for search operations.
Due to new requests being received from missing persons since morning, security officials suggest the search campaign may be extended.
“The last major rescue operation was during the earthquake, where the search area was clearly defined. Now, the search area is far broader, requiring multiple rescue approaches. This work is far more difficult than during the earthquake,” said Armed Police deputy spokesperson Shailendra Thapa.
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