By Ashish Kumar Mandal,Kathmandu, Nepal : Search and rescue operations are continuing in flood-affected hydropower project areas of Rasuwa and Nuwakot, with security forces working under extremely difficult and hazardous conditions to locate people who remain missing following a devastating flood.
Prime Minister Balendra Shah said the government has continued search and rescue efforts since the disaster and will maintain the operation until all possible efforts have been exhausted.
The disaster occurred on the morning of Bhadra 10 after an ice avalanche from an altitude of approximately 5,600 metres on Langtang Himal, around 20 kilometres northeast of Rasuwagadhi, triggered a sudden debris-laden flood in the Bhotekoshi River. The powerful flood caused extensive damage to hydropower projects, including both operational and under-construction facilities, and left several people unaccounted for.
According to Prime Minister Shah, rescue teams have been working continuously in the affected areas, despite difficult terrain, heavy debris, mud and damaged infrastructure. The Nepali Army, Nepal Police and Armed Police Force have been jointly involved in the search and rescue mission, while specialist teams from friendly countries have also provided technical assistance.
At the Rasuwagadhi Hydropower Project, major damage has been reported to the headworks and to equipment located both outside and inside the underground powerhouse. Search operations began immediately after the flood, but difficult weather and terrain prevented helicopters from landing and made it extremely challenging to deliver rescue equipment.
With assistance from a rescued project employee, Nepali Army personnel managed to enter approximately 275 metres into the tunnel, but no missing person was found. A mini excavator has since been transported to the site by helicopter to support further search operations.
At the Langtang Hydropower Project, an initial reconnaissance was conducted on the day of the flood. On Bhadra 13, Nepali Army personnel and an Indian specialist team entered approximately 60 metres into the tunnel while clearing mud and debris. Large rocks obstructed further access.
Further search operations were conducted on Bhadra 16 with the participation of project employees. After creating an opening in the tunnel using gas welding equipment, rescuers entered the affected section and recovered two bodies. Search operations are continuing in the area.
At the Chilime Hydropower Project, the Nepali Army reached the site on Bhadra 10, but heavy mud and debris prevented immediate access to the tunnel. Following reconnaissance with an Indian specialist team on Bhadra 13, joint search operations began the following day.
Rescuers cleared the debris and advanced approximately 90 metres into the tunnel, where two bodies were recovered. Bobcat excavators and other heavy equipment are currently being used to strengthen the search operation.
At the Upper Trishuli-1 Hydropower Project, search operations also began on Bhadra 10. A Chinese specialist team conducted reconnaissance on Bhadra 13, followed by a joint search operation involving the Nepali Army and Chinese experts from Bhadra 14.
After clearing debris and advancing around 200 metres into the tunnel, rescuers encountered a water-filled section. Thermal drones were deployed to search the area. The Nepali Army later continued the operation with a Korean specialist team. One body was initially recovered, followed by the rescue of one person and recovery of two additional bodies on Bhadra 20.
At the Trishuli 3A Hydropower Project in Nuwakot, search operations began on the first day of the disaster. However, locating the tunnel entrance itself proved difficult. A team involving specialists from the Nepal Electricity Authority and the Nagdhunga Tunnel Project conducted reconnaissance on Bhadra 12 and began operations from Bhadra 13.
Six excavators were deployed to accelerate the search. After excavating approximately 25 metres, rescuers located a tunnel used for electricity cables. The rescue team then entered through the tunnel.
Explosives were brought from the Kathmandu–Terai/Madhesh Fast Track Project to open the tunnel entrance, while a compressor was transported from the Nagdhunga Tunnel Project. A drilling machine was also deployed, with the necessary equipment transported to the site by helicopter.
On Bhadra 19, rescuers successfully rescued two people and recovered one body. Search operations have continued using thermal imaging technology and infrared cameras.
Meanwhile, at the Trishuli 3B Hydropower Project, search efforts have been underway since Bhadra 10. A Chinese specialist team conducted reconnaissance on Bhadra 13, but the heavy mud made it difficult to transport search equipment into the tunnel.
Project employees and Nepali Army personnel are continuing the operation. The team has advanced approximately 1.7 kilometres into the audit tunnel after clearing mud and debris from the entrance, where a vehicle was subsequently discovered.
Additional equipment is being transported to the site to support the ongoing search. Six residential buildings and one office building belonging to the project were buried by the flood, and excavation has already reached a depth of approximately 15 metres in an effort to locate the structures.
Prime Minister Shah said the government remains fully committed to finding those who are still missing from the disaster-affected hydropower project areas. He acknowledged the challenging conditions faced by rescue personnel and praised the security forces for continuing their mission despite the risks.
“We are humanitarian Nepalis,” Shah said, stressing that the government would continue the search and rescue operation to the end, even within the limitations of available resources, equipment and time.
He said the government had left no stone unturned in fulfilling its responsibility and was determined to demonstrate Nepal’s humanitarian spirit through its ongoing search and rescue efforts.
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