Rescue teams in Nepal rushed to reach numerous workers suspected to be trapped inside hydropower tunnels in the mountainous regions following a devastating flood that claimed over 1,200 lives. The flood, triggered by a glacier collapse near the Nepal-China border, wreaked havoc across the area, leaving 1,204 confirmed dead and more than 4,200 missing.
Efforts are now concentrated on hydroelectric project tunnels where workers may have survived by seeking refuge in chambers with air supplies. Around 900 missing workers are believed to be in these tunnels, providing hope for potential survivors due to available food and water resources.
While the chances of finding survivors elsewhere are diminishing, rescue operations continue unabated as teams scour the mountainside along the China border, where the floods caused widespread destruction. Prime Minister Balendra Shah affirmed the commitment to persist with search and rescue missions to locate missing individuals and support all affected by the catastrophe.
Specialized rescue teams from India, China, and the United States are actively involved in the tunnel rescue operations, particularly at four projects. Notably, at Trishuli-3A, where a dry space is presumed to exist, efforts to push oxygen through pipes are underway to aid potential survivors.
Across the border in Tibet, China, the official toll increased with 21 reported dead and 541 missing. Beijing has reopened the road leading to the Gyirong border crossing, allowing heavy machinery to access the core disaster zone for the first time.
Chinese authorities are deploying excavators, rescue teams, search dogs, and life-detection equipment in challenging terrain to search for survivors. The official tally of missing individuals includes Nepali citizens, Indians, and Latvians, with Beijing pledging to send more aid to Nepal, including DNA identification experts and emergency supplies.
In the aftermath of the disaster, residents in Nepal are grappling with the loss of their homes and belongings, with psychological distress evident among children who witnessed the catastrophic events. Efforts are underway to restore power supply, telecommunication services, and transport links, with significant progress made in telecom service restoration in affected areas.
Prime Minister Shah acknowledged the monumental nature of the disaster and praised the efforts of security personnel who worked tirelessly to warn local residents despite facing risks themselves. The restoration work continues, supported by both domestic and foreign aid, to address the extensive damage caused by the floods.