In the wake of devastating flash floods in Nepal, rescue teams are racing against time to reach over 900 hydropower workers trapped in underground tunnels across more than a dozen power projects. The disaster, which struck last week, has resulted in a death toll nearing 940 in Nepal, with additional casualties reported in Tibet. Thousands remain unaccounted for on both sides of the border. Among the missing, approximately 500 workers are believed to be confined within tunnels at hydropower sites in the severely impacted Rasuwa and Nuwakot districts.
Rescue operations face significant challenges, including diminishing oxygen levels in the tunnels, which experts warn could drastically reduce the likelihood of finding survivors. Workers who escaped the flooding reported that many of their colleagues were still inside when the disaster hit. The rescue efforts have been further complicated by destroyed infrastructure, such as bridges, unpredictable river flooding, and rugged terrain. Helicopters have become crucial for the operation, while neighboring countries have provided temporary bridge equipment to help re-establish access. Massive debris has obstructed many tunnels, necessitating blasting operations in some areas to reach those trapped. The floods have also severely impacted Nepal’s power generation capacity.
Rescuers have described the perilous conditions within the tunnels, where mud is chest-high in some areas, and visibility is poor. Despite these obstacles, there is cautious optimism that some workers may have reached safe zones within the tunnels. Meanwhile, the broader impact of the disaster has been felt by tens of thousands of people, with entire communities destroyed and raising alarms about how climate change may be affecting the stability of glacial and mountainous regions. The Nepalese government has characterized the flooding as an unprecedented natural disaster, with tens of thousands of security personnel and volunteers actively engaged in the relief operations.
International support has been robust, with neighboring countries providing specialized rescue teams, funding, and technical assistance, underscoring the magnitude of the catastrophe. Amidst the devastation, rescuers have experienced moments of hope, such as the rescue of a young child from the mud. However, concerns have been raised regarding the exchange of glacier and water-level data between neighboring countries. Some officials fear that a lack of effective information-sharing could hinder future disaster preparedness efforts in the region.