Hundreds of Workers Trapped in Flooded Hydropower Tunnels in Nepal
Summary
Floods in the Bhote Koshi and Trishuli rivers have left hundreds of workers and technicians trapped in hydropower tunnels in Rasuwa and Nuwakot, with rescue efforts delayed for days. Families and project promoters say the situation is becoming increasingly critical as authorities deploy domestic and foreign teams to speed up operations.
Key Points
- Flood damage from the Bhote Koshi and Trishuli rivers has stranded workers inside tunnels and powerhouses at multiple hydropower projects in Rasuwa and Nuwakot.
- IPPAN says 898 employees and workers from 11 projects are still missing, with many believed trapped underground and rescue efforts slowed by terrain, equipment shortages, and administrative delays.
- The National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Authority says expert teams and scanning machines from India, China and Nepal have been mobilized to accelerate rescue operations.
- Project representatives and industry groups have urged the government to remove procedural hurdles and allow more flexible use of helicopters and technical resources for rescue work.
