Raswa, September 4
Technicians from the Nepal Electricity Authority have entered the Upper Trishuli 3A hydropower project tunnel alongside the Nepali Army to help search for people who may still be trapped inside.
The NEA technicians entered the underground powerhouse with the Army team to identify possible locations where workers and engineers could be trapped and assist in the ongoing search and rescue operation.
Two people were rescued alive from the project tunnel on Friday morning after nine days of continuous efforts.
The successful rescue of two people alive from the mud-filled tunnel 10 days after the flood has been described as a significant breakthrough in the operation. Rescuers have also recovered one body from inside the tunnel.
However, the NEA estimates that as many as 42 people may still be trapped inside the project.
A large number of workers are believed to have been inside the underground powerhouse when the flood struck. An NEA source said its technical staff entered the powerhouse alongside the Army to help determine where those workers may have taken shelter.
Project chief Awas Ojha said the two survivors are receiving treatment at the Nepali Army’s Military Hospital in Chhauni. The identity of the body recovered from the tunnel has not yet been established.
The two people rescued alive were Sanjay Sah, a mechanical foreman with the NEA, and Kabir Maharjan, a supervisor at the project.
The rescue operation has involved teams from the Nepali Army, Armed Police Force, Nepal Police and the Nepal Electricity Authority.
The Nepali Army has said the health condition of both rescued workers is stable.
According to the NEA, an estimated 42 engineers and employees were trapped inside the tunnel and underground powerhouse of the Upper Trishuli 3A project. The largest number are believed to have been inside the powerhouse itself.
The search and rescue operation is continuing.
