In Brief
- Over 600 workers trapped in collapsed hydropower tunnels in Nepal.
- Rescue involving Nepalese and Indian armies faces worsening conditions daily.
- Tunnels and infrastructure at 11 sites in Rasuwa and Nuwakot districts affected.
- Flash floods on August 26 caused extensive damage, complicating rescue efforts.
More than 600 people working at 11 hydropower project sites in Nepal’s Rasuwa and Nuwakot districts remain missing or trapped inside collapsed tunnels and infrastructure following severe flash floods on August 26. These floods caused extensive damage in the Himalayan region, cutting off access to the affected sites.
Rescue operations have involved multiple agencies, including both Nepalese and Indian armies. Despite ongoing efforts, officials say the situation is turning increasingly grim with each passing day due to the difficult terrain and collapsed structures.
The trapped workers are believed to be inside various tunnels and infrastructure elements of the hydropower projects, crucial for Nepal’s energy resources. Authorities have prioritized the search and rescue missions even as cracks and instability pose significant risks.
Local administrations continue to coordinate with national and international agencies to enhance rescue operations, but the challenging geography and weather conditions severely hamper timely access to the victims. The incident underscores the vulnerability of infrastructure in mountainous regions to natural disasters.
