Indian Tunnel Rescue Team Mobilizes to Save Lives After Devastating Floods in Nepal

Kathmandu, August 31: A devastating flood in Nepal’s Bhotekoshi River has prompted an Indian tunnel rescue team to launch a search and rescue operation for individuals trapped in various hydropower project tunnels.

The Indian Embassy reported that the rescue team is collaborating with the Nepali Army to conduct operations in the Chilime and Langtang regions.

According to the embassy, the Indian team will continue to work closely with the Nepali Army in ongoing rescue efforts.

The Independent Power Producers Association of Nepal (IPPAN), representing private sector power project developers, stated that contact has been lost with a total of 897 individuals working on 11 hydropower projects in the flood-affected districts of Rasuwa and Nuwakot.

As per Nepal’s National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Authority (NDRRMA), seven Indian and 15 Chinese nationals trapped in the hydropower projects were safely rescued on Sunday.

In response to the Nepalese government’s request, tunnel experts from India and China have arrived in Nepal to assist in the rescue operations for those trapped in the hydropower project tunnels.

Statements from the Nepalese government and IPPAN indicate that the Indian team participated in rescue efforts across various hydropower projects on Sunday.

The Secretary’s office of the Ministry of Energy, Water Resources, and Irrigation reported that the Indian team, which arrived to assist with the rescue operation, conducted an initial aerial survey of the Chilime and Langtang areas via helicopter and plans to continue rescue operations as needed.

Prime Minister Balendra Shah posted on Facebook late Sunday night, stating that the Indian team inspected the 22-megawatt Chilime hydropower project in coordination with the Nepali Army. Subsequently, pumps and excavators were dispatched to the site to initiate rescue operations.

According to IPPAN, the rescue operation at the Chilime project had to be halted when another flood occurred, sweeping away structures that had survived the previous flood.

The Prime Minister noted, “The Nepali Army conducted a search and rescue patrol at the Langtang Khola hydropower project in Rasuwa. The Indian team has also inspected the area in collaboration with the Nepali Army and initiated additional rescue efforts after delivering pumps and excavators.”