Rescue teams battle extreme conditions to save trapped workers
Nepal floods have triggered a massive rescue operation as authorities race to reach hundreds of workers feared trapped inside underground sections of hydropower plants following one of the country’s worst natural disasters.
Officials said more than 900 hydropower workers remain missing, with many believed to be trapped inside tunnels and underground facilities across 11 hydropower projects severely damaged by the disaster.
The catastrophe began after a powerful surge of ice, rocks, mud and debris swept through mountain communities, destroying infrastructure, cutting off roads and leaving thousands of people missing across Nepal and Tibet.
Nepal’s disaster management authorities confirmed that the death toll has climbed above 900, while thousands of others remain unaccounted for as rescue teams continue searching through devastated areas.
The scale of the destruction has created enormous challenges for emergency responders, with collapsed roads, rising waters and unstable mountain terrain slowing down rescue operations.
A Nepal Army spokesperson, Raja Ram Basnet, described the situation as extremely difficult, saying, “A large amount of debris has been deposited and that is posing us a big challenge to open the tunnels.”
Hydropower tunnel rescue becomes priority
The hydropower tunnel rescue operation has become the centre of Nepal’s emergency response as authorities believe some workers may still be alive inside protected underground areas.
Around 250 people were reportedly rescued from the Upper Trishuli hydroelectric plant, while engineers continued efforts to reach dozens of workers still believed to be trapped.
Rescuers are using heavy equipment, pumps and excavation machines to remove thick layers of mud blocking access routes into tunnels where survivors may be waiting for help.
Ashish Gurung, a rescue worker involved in efforts at the Chilime hydropower plant, described the terrifying conditions inside the tunnels.
“There is just mud everywhere,” Gurung said. “Inside the tunnel it was worse. It’s so difficult to move, the mud is so deep.”
The rescue teams have been forced to improvise methods, using wooden planks and ropes to move safely through dangerous areas filled with deep mud and flood debris.
Gurung said some workers could still be alive because certain sections of the tunnels had safe areas where people might have taken shelter during the disaster.
Nepal flash flood disaster destroys communities
The Nepal flash flood disaster has affected tens of thousands of people, destroying homes, bridges and critical infrastructure across several mountain regions.
The Red Cross estimated that more than 90,000 people have been affected, with many families displaced after floodwaters swept away entire communities.
The Trishuli River flooding has created additional dangers, changing course unpredictably and making rescue planning more complicated for authorities working in affected districts.
More than 40 bridges were reportedly destroyed, forcing rescuers to depend heavily on helicopters and support from neighbouring countries to deliver equipment and supplies.
India and China have provided assistance, including specialised resources to help rebuild access routes and support tunnel rescue operations.
Nepalese Prime Minister Balendra Shah described the disaster as an “unprecedented and devastating natural disaster”, saying rescue teams were continuing despite severe challenges.
“Despite adverse weather, difficult terrain and continuing risks, we are moving forward with determination to save the lives of our citizens,” Shah said.
Himalayan flood crisis raises climate concerns
The Himalayan flood crisis has increased concerns about the impact of changing weather patterns and instability in mountain regions.
Experts and Chinese officials have linked the disaster to glacier instability and long-term environmental changes affecting high-altitude areas.
The flooding has highlighted the vulnerability of communities living near rivers and mountainous landscapes where sudden changes in weather can create deadly consequences.
China reported additional deaths and missing people on its side of the border, while continuing rescue support through emergency teams and equipment.
Chinese authorities said thousands of rescue workers had been deployed and supplies were being delivered to areas affected by the disaster.
Nepal’s authorities said the country remains focused on saving lives, with nearly 21,000 security personnel involved in rescue and relief operations alongside volunteers.
Rescue operations continue amid fears of further flooding
Although weather conditions improved, officials warned that risks remained high because unstable terrain and water levels could create new dangers.
Rescue operations had previously been suspended because of bad weather and concerns that overflowing water could trigger additional flooding in vulnerable areas.
In Devighat, one of the affected communities, residents returned to damaged homes searching for belongings among piles of debris left behind by the disaster.
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Many families are now facing uncertain futures after losing houses, livelihoods and essential services during the devastating floods.
Authorities continue to search for missing workers and residents, hoping to locate survivors as rescue teams push deeper into damaged areas.
The Nepal floods disaster has become one of the country’s deadliest emergencies in recent years, testing rescue capabilities and highlighting the dangers facing Himalayan communities.
As operations continue, officials remain focused on one priority: reaching those still trapped and providing assistance to thousands affected by the catastrophic flooding.
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