Kathmandu, September 1
Rescue efforts to reach people trapped inside hydropower tunnels following the devastating Bhotekoshi flood have continued, but authorities say there has been little progress so far.
Foreign Ministry spokesperson Lok Bahadur Paudel Chhetri said Tuesday that no significant progress had been reported in the tunnel rescue operations.
Speaking at a press conference, Chhetri said Nepali rescue teams, along with tunnel specialists from India and China, were continuing their efforts despite the difficult terrain and conditions at the affected hydropower projects.
Two 24-member teams from India and a nine-member specialist tunnel rescue team from China have been deployed to the affected hydropower projects.
“The tunnel rescue team has been deployed from the beginning, and tunnel specialists from India and China are also assisting,” Chhetri said. “They are working day and night, overcoming the difficult geography and challenges there. But according to the information we had until a short while ago, there has been no significant progress. They are continuing their efforts.”
The Indian teams are working with the Nepali Army at the Chilime and Langtang hydropower projects, while the Chinese team has been conducting search operations in the Upper Trishuli-3A project area.
A rescue team from South Korea is also preparing to come to Nepal, Chhetri said.
Seven days after the flood, rescue teams have still been unable to reach those believed to be trapped inside tunnels at Chilime, Langtang, Upper Trishuli-3A and Upper Trishuli-3B hydropower projects.
The rescue operations have been complicated by water-filled tunnels, blocked entrances, debris and difficult terrain at the affected project sites.
