Kathmandu, September 2
Search and rescue operations are still underway in the area devastated by the sudden and catastrophic flooding in the Bhotekoshi River in Rasuwa.
The operations are being carried out with the support and coordination of the Nepali Army, Nepal Police and Armed Police Force, as well as rescue teams from other countries. Even a week after the floods, search and rescue efforts inside the tunnels remain challenging.
The Nepali Army, with assistance from foreign rescue teams, is working inside the tunnels, which are considered highly dangerous and difficult to access. According to the Army Headquarters, as of 11 am Wednesday, rescue teams had reached about 150 metres inside the Rasuwa Garhi Hydropower tunnel. The Army said large rocks had prevented further access, and search and rescue efforts were being resumed.
Similarly, a joint team of 25 rescuers, including foreign personnel, is working inside the Langtang Hydropower tunnel after entering approximately 150 metres into the tunnel. A joint team, including foreign rescuers, is also carrying out search and rescue operations at Chilime Hydropower, the Army said.
A Nepali Army team is conducting search and rescue operations at Upper Trishuli 1 in Haku. At Trishuli-3A, a joint team of 93 personnel, including Nepali Army personnel, is clearing debris with the help of three excavators and one Bobcat, according to the Army. After using a compressor machine, breaker and blasting operations, the team located the tunnel outlet. The team is also pumping out around 1.5 metres of water that accumulated inside the tunnel overnight due to rainfall.
At Trishuli-3B, a rescue team comprising 61 Nepali Army personnel, three civilians, and the project’s managing director is carrying out operations. According to Army Headquarters, the team identified the project office and residential area and used an excavator to construct an access route to reach the area.
