Rescue of two workers from Trishuli-3A hydropower tunnel after devastating floods on August 26; More people are feared to be trapped inside
Amid the nine-day search and rescue operation after the devastating floods that hit Nepal on August 26, news of a major relief has emerged. Two people have been pulled out alive from the tunnel of the Trishuli-3A hydropower project. The rescued persons have been identified as mechanical foreman Sanjay Sah and mechanical supervisor Kabir Mahajan. After human voices were heard from inside the tunnel, the rescue teams stepped up their operations and eventually managed to get both of them out safely. However, the search has continued due to fears that more people may still be trapped in the tunnel.
Rescue operations intensified when human voices were heard
During the rescue operation, the teams heard human voices from inside the tunnel. The sounds raised hopes among rescue teams that some people might still be alive in the tunnel. “Don’t panic, we are here to save you,” the teams said, encouraging those trapped inside. After receiving feedback from inside, rescuers established contact with people trapped inside the tunnel. After that, teams of Nepali Army and Armed Police Force accelerated the rescue operation. Amid challenging conditions, the teams tried to reach Sanjay Sah and Kabir Mahajan and succeeded in evicting both.
First Sanjay, then Kabir’s rescue
Mechanical foreman Sanjay Sah was the first to be pulled out of the tunnel on Friday. Later, the mechanical supervisor Kabir Mahajan was also evacuated safely. After being trapped in the tunnel for nine days, their families and rescue teams felt relieved that the two survived. However, the rescue operation did not stop here. The teams are conducting continuous search operations due to the possibility of other people’s voices coming from the tunnel and fear that some personnel are still trapped inside. Rescue workers are trying to find more people amid difficult and dangerous conditions.
A devastating flood had wreaked havoc
The flash and devastating floods on August 26 wreaked havoc in the Trishuli river corridor. The floods disrupted road connectivity in many areas and also caused major damage to hydropower projects. According to the information provided, 1,252 people died in this tragedy. Rescue operations also became difficult as flood water and debris entered many places. Meanwhile, many employees associated with hydropower projects went missing. Rescue agencies are continuously trying to find people trapped in tunnels and underground areas.
Over 900 hydropower workers missing
More than 900 employees associated with 12 hydropower projects in Nepal have gone missing after the floods. Hundreds of these workers are feared to be trapped in tunnels or other underground sections. Around 500 workers are feared to be trapped inside the tunnels, especially in the flooded hydropower projects of Rasuwa and Nuwakot. There are also reports of some employees shouting for help when the flood occurred. Some of the earlier survivors of the tunnel also reported that their colleagues were trapped inside, making the race against time even more critical for the rescue teams.
Concerned about decreasing oxygen, but hope of rescue alive
There are also growing concerns about the depletion of oxygen levels inside the tunnel as the rescue operation drags on. Lack of oxygen can be a serious threat to people trapped underground for long periods of time. On the other hand, hearing human voices from inside the tunnel and successfully pulling out two people alive after nine days has rekindled hope among the rescue teams and their families. Nepali Army and Armed Police Force teams are now conducting search operations in other areas of the tunnel as well. Rescue teams are working continuously to find and evacuate as many people as possible
