Kathmandu, August 29
At least 898 people remain unaccounted for after devastating floods in the Bhotekoshi River swept through hydropower project areas in Rasuwa and Nuwakot.
According to data provided by the Independent Power Producers’ Association, Nepal (IPPAN), 11 hydropower projects in the two districts have been affected by the floods. Rescue teams have so far evacuated 361 people from the affected project sites.
A large number of those rescued were employees and workers at the 216 MW Upper Trishuli-1 Hydropower Project. IPPAN said 254 people have been rescued from the project alone.
However, around 300 people are still believed to be trapped inside the project’s tunnel.
The Ministry of Energy, Water Resources and Irrigation said a team of Chinese experts has also arrived in Nepal to assist in the rescue of those trapped inside the tunnel.
Similarly, 18 people have been rescued from the 20 MW Langtang Khola Hydropower Project and 91 from the 37 MW Upper Trishuli-3B Hydropower Project.
Seven hydropower projects affected in Rasuwa
According to IPPAN, seven hydropower projects in Rasuwa have been affected by the Bhotekoshi floods.
They are the 216 MW Upper Trishuli-1, 111 MW Rasuwa Gadhi, 120 MW Rasuwa-Bhotekoshi, 6.42 MW Upper Mailung-A, 20 MW Langtang Khola, 22 MW Chilime and 5 MW Mailung Khola hydropower projects.
The direct impact of the floods on these project sites has raised concerns about the safety of employees and workers.
With communication cut off with people at several project sites, search and rescue operations have been prioritised.
Six projects affected in Nuwakot
Six hydropower and energy projects in Nuwakot have also been affected.
The affected projects are the 24 MW Trishuli, 14.1 MW Devighat, 60 MW Upper Trishuli-3A, 37 MW Upper Trishuli-3B, 15.6 MW Middle Trishuli Ganga and 25 MW Nuwakot Solar Power Project.
Workers trapped inside tunnels pose major rescue challenge
Rescuing people trapped inside project structures, particularly tunnels, has emerged as the biggest challenge following the floods.
The estimated 300 people trapped inside the Upper Trishuli-1 tunnel highlight the complexity of the rescue operation. Additional technical expertise and specialised rescue teams are being mobilised to reach them.
The arrival of Chinese experts is expected to provide additional technical support for the tunnel rescue.
Search and rescue operations are continuing in the flood-affected areas, and further details on those still unaccounted for are expected as teams reach more project sites.
The latest figures indicate that while 361 people have been rescued, 898 remain unaccounted for.
The scale of the crisis shows that the Bhotekoshi floods have caused more than damage to hydropower infrastructure. They have created a major humanitarian emergency involving hundreds of workers and employees stationed at the affected projects.
The immediate priority remains establishing contact with those unaccounted for and rescuing them wherever possible.
