Photo Credit, Nepal Army
On the seventh day following the Bhotekoshi-Trishuli flood, rescue operations are focused on the tunnels of hydropower projects located on both sides of these rivers, officials from emergency services have confirmed.
About 900 employees of 11 hydropower projects went out of contact after the flood on Wednesday, with concerns that some may be trapped inside the tunnels.
“Most of our efforts are currently concentrated there. The Nepali Army is leading the operation,” said Phanindra Prasad Paudel, head of the National Emergency Operations Centre (NEOC) under the Ministry of Home Affairs.
The NEOC is the primary disaster management authority under the Ministry of Home Affairs.
“Our first priority is to locate those likely to be still alive. We are also receiving reports on health issues among rescued individuals housed in various camps. Additionally, we are focusing on body management and relief efforts.”
According to him, security agencies have deployed 21,000 personnel for these operations.
Criticism
Families of missing persons have expressed dissatisfaction as the rescue efforts inside the tunnels have not progressed at the expected pace.
“I don’t know my father’s status, but I have not lost hope,” said Rajan Gotame from Tamankhola, Baglung, who has come to Dhunche searching for his father, an operator inside the tunnel at the Upper Trishuli One A project.
His father has been out of contact since Wednesday.
“He was a CIFA (tunnel boring machine) operator. His colleagues who escaped the tunnel reported that he is still inside and there is a chance he is alive.”
Suvaschandra Baral, President of Nepal Engineers Association, said the government has not demonstrated sufficient urgency in rescuing those trapped in the tunnels.
“The level of work has not been visible. We sense many of our colleagues are still inside. The slow pace of rescue is concerning.”
“We had offered the government access to our expertise during the floods, but the effort appeared insufficient,” he added.
Baral also pointed out delays in involving expert engineers and private sector support in the rescue operations.
“Hydropower companies were only allowed to access the sites starting Monday. The private sector has significant resources and could have helped. In some locations, there is still only one excavator working.”
Security Agencies’ Statement
Photo Credit, Nepal Army
Nepali Army spokesperson Rajaram Basnet stated that efforts to safely rescue those trapped inside the tunnels are ongoing.
“So far, there have been no signs of life. We do not have precise information on how many are inside or their condition. Our efforts continue.”
“Troops have been deployed at Rasuwagadhi, Langtang, Chilime, Upper Trishuli One (A), Trishuli Three A, and Three B,” he said. “Joint teams including foreign experts are working at Chilime, Langtang and Upper Trishuli One.”
Experts from India and China are present at those sites, and while a Korean team has conducted reconnaissance, it is not yet deployed. Specialists from Nepal Electricity Authority are also part of the team.
Particularly at the Rasuwagadhi, Chilime, and Trishuli Three tunnels, a large number of people are believed to be trapped.
“At Trishuli Three A, maintenance was underway during the flood,” said former Nepal Electricity Authority Executive Director Hitendra Dev Shakya.
“There were 25 people involved in maintenance at Trishuli Three A, and it is estimated that between 40 and 45 could be inside.”
Records also show workers trapped inside the Langtang Powerhouse.
“Today marks the seventh day. Considerable time has passed,” Shakya expressed his concern.
Baral from the Engineers Association also indicated many are trapped in the Upper Trishuli One A tunnel. “Even those who have come out confirm this.”
Hope
Photo Credit, Nepal Army
According to experts on power projects and tunnel construction, the probability of finding people alive inside the tunnels remains relatively high, although significant time has already elapsed.
They have also provided a rationale for their optimism.
The focus is mainly on the main Trishuli Three A tunnel. Engineer Gyanendra Lal Shrestha explained that the tunnel’s structure itself is a reason for hope.
“There are three tunnels at the powerhouse: the first is for the turbine water discharge, the second is for worker movement, and the third, smaller tunnel carries electrical cables outside. Rescue efforts are being concentrated on opening the third.”
He added, “The powerhouse has the turbine on the lower floor, generators on the second floor, and the control room for operations on the top floor. Above that is an empty space called the ‘safe zone’, which is ventilated and likely where the trapped workers may be located.”
“I still see a chance of finding survivors there.”
Baral observed that as time passes, the trapped individuals are likely becoming more desperate. “Even if water has entered, there may be pockets of empty space and they might get oxygen through gaps between rocks.”
Challenges
Photo Credit, Nepal Army
In some locations, efforts are underway to open tunnel entrances, but inside accessible areas, large amounts of mud, silt, and rocks have been found, according to Army spokesperson Basnet.
He explained that greater manpower is deployed at locations where tunnel entrances must be opened, compared to where entry into the tunnels has been possible.
“Many soldiers have been deployed at Trishuli Three A and Three B, where external work is in progress. Notably, fewer personnel are at Chilime.”
At Trishuli Three A, 92 soldiers and about 40 including authority and project personnel are deployed at Three B.
“Yesterday, we reached approximately 250 meters inside Upper Trishuli One, about 65 meters at Langtang, and 250 meters at Rasuwagadhi,” he said.
In some tunnels, rescuers have had to enter through the outlet as access via the inlet was not feasible.
“Efforts to remove blockages and proceed further inside are ongoing,” he added.
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