Rasuwa, September 4
Ninety-three people associated with the Rasuwa Hydropower Company Limited remain unaccounted for following the Bhote Koshi flood, with search and rescue efforts being hampered by bad weather, the company said.
According to company secretary Narnath Neupane, those missing include 51 regular employees, one board member, two daily-wage workers and 39 workers employed by three contractor companies.
The condition of employees who were inside the hydropower plant’s powerhouse remains particularly unclear, Neupane said.
The company had transported equipment needed to clear debris from the tunnel several days ago to the Maithali Army Camp in Battar, Nuwakot. The equipment included a mini excavator, a 30 kVA diesel generator, a submersible pump and hose pipes.
However, a reconnaissance by the Nepali Army rescue team found that the river had further eroded the area in front of the powerhouse, making it unsuitable for a large MI-17 helicopter to land, according to Neupane.
With the larger helicopter unable to transport the equipment, the company purchased a smaller generator and began preparing to send lighter equipment to the project site.
A 6.5 kVA diesel generator, submersible pump, hose pipes and electrical equipment had been scheduled for transportation from Tuesday, but adverse weather delayed the operation.
The company said the equipment was finally flown to Dhunche at 11:20am on Friday. However, it has not yet been possible to transport the equipment from Dhunche to the powerhouse.
Private teams also deployed
The company has also mobilised private-sector personnel to search for people who remain unaccounted for outside the powerhouse.
It has reached an agreement with Himalaya Summit Club Pvt Ltd to deploy skilled and experienced rock climbers associated with the Nepal National Mountain Guide Association. The team has been conducting searches in Timure.
The company had planned to send another helicopter to Ghatte Khola on Friday to search the area. However, the helicopter could not fly because of the weather, and the team was unable to reach Ghatte Khola.
The company has kept separate teams on standby in Battar, Dhunche and the powerhouse area to support the rescue operation.
Two personnel, including a senior engineer, are stationed in Battar. Two engineers are on standby in Dhunche, while an electrical overseer has been assigned to assist the powerhouse rescue team with electrical connections.
A specialised rescue team from the Nepali Army is also on standby in Dhunche with the necessary tools and equipment to be deployed towards the powerhouse.
However, the company said the team has not yet been able to fly to the powerhouse because weather conditions remain unfavourable.
Families kept informed through WhatsApp group
Meanwhile, the company has created a WhatsApp group for the families and relatives of the missing employees to keep them regularly informed about the situation.
The company said information gathered during search and rescue operations, including details of ongoing efforts and available updates, will be shared with the families through the group.
