An 11-member technical team from India carried out on-site reconnaissance of hydropower tunnels in Nepal’s flood-affected areas yesterday to facilitate search and rescue of stranded individuals. The team – comprising doctors, paramedics and tunnel engineers – had arrived in Kathmandu on Friday.

 

Yesterday, they reached Trishuli in Nuwakot district to assist in efforts to rescue workers trapped in a tunnel belonging to a hydropower project. After completing an aerial survey of the Chilime and Langtang areas, the Indian team began necessary rescue-related work around the tunnel area, according to the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Authority.

 

An 82-member joint security team comprising Nepal Army, Armed Police Force and Nepal Police personnel has been working since last night to clear debris and reach people believed to be trapped inside the tunnel. 

 

Nepali security forces have so far rescued 191 workers from tunnels at various hydropower projects in the country, according to the Nepal Army. However, reports of more people trapped inside tunnels prompted Nepalese authorities to seek India’s assistance.