Kathmandu, August 29: The Indian Embassy in Nepal announced on Saturday that a specialized technical team from India has commenced surveying hydroelectric tunnels in flood-affected areas to locate and rescue individuals trapped inside.
In response to Nepal’s request, India dispatched an 11-member rescue team comprising doctors, paramedics, and experts in tunnel rescue operations. This team has arrived at the Trishuli 3A Hydropower Project in Rasuwa district, where rescue efforts are underway following a sudden flood.
According to the Prime Minister‘s Office (PMO) in Nepal, the Indian team plans to conduct an initial aerial survey of the Chilime and Langtang areas by helicopter before proceeding with the rescue operations based on further needs.
The PMO reported that since Friday night, a joint team of 82 Nepali security personnel, including 62 soldiers from the Nepali Army and 20 from the Armed Police Force, has been continuously deployed to clear the tunnel entrance and expedite the search efforts.
The statement noted, “Adverse weather conditions in the area have made rescue operations extremely challenging.”
Due to the limitations of local expertise and the slow progress of the rescue operations, Nepal has sought assistance from both India and China. The embassy stated that India continues to support Nepal’s ongoing relief and rescue efforts and remains in contact with Nepali authorities regarding the search and rescue of affected Indian citizens.
The Independent Power Producers Association of Nepal (IPPAN), representing private electricity producers in Nepal, reported that 934 individuals associated with 11 hydroelectric projects in the flood-affected districts of Rasuwa and Nuwakot are still unaccounted for.
According to the association, following the devastating flood in the Bhotekoshi River on August 26, 730 individuals linked to six hydroelectric projects in Rasuwa and 204 individuals from five projects in Nuwakot are missing. The flood has caused significant damage to hydroelectric projects and other infrastructure in both districts.
IPPAN noted that the flood on August 26 impacted 13 hydroelectric projects with a combined installed capacity of 675.6 megawatts in Rasuwa and Nuwakot.
Meanwhile, the embassy reported that the First Secretary (Commercial) at the Indian Embassy recently met with Indian workers rescued from the Upper Trishuli-1 Hydropower Project to check on their safety and well-being.
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