Rescuing people trapped inside the tunnel of the Upper Trishuli-3A Hydropower Project following the Bhotekoshi-Trishuli flood remains highly challenging, those involved in the rescue operation said.
An estimated 35 to 40 workers and employees are trapped at the 60-megawatt project, which is promoted by the Nepal Electricity Authority.
A team comprising the Nepal Army and experts has been working to rescue those trapped for the past five days.
The team has already located the tunnel, but rescuers have not yet been able to reach the area inside where the people are believed to be trapped.
Excavation work continued throughout the night and is still underway.
According to lawmaker and tunnel expert Shri Ram Neupane, who is leading the rescue operation in the field, the team blasted the crown of the tunnel at around 3 a.m. and found that water had filled the tunnel up to the crown, making it impossible to enter.
“Had there been no water inside, we would have reached the area where people are believed to be trapped by now. But because the tunnel is flooded, it is impossible to enter. We are working on an alternative option,” he told Setopati.
Neupane said that efforts are underway to remove water, sludge, and debris from inside the tunnel.
“There is a 40-meter-wide and 40-meter-high mass of debris inside the tunnel, including rocks, soil, and sludge. It is not possible to bring in the machinery needed to remove it. We are working with an old machine already available here. We will carry out blasting to create a way to drain the water,” he said.
Videos showing workers using shovels to remove mud and soil in the tunnel area have also been widely shared on social media.
Asked about the use of such basic equipment, Neupane said that the rescue team was working with whatever resources were currently available.
“We need two large excavators, but it is not possible to transport them by helicopter. Even if we bring in the parts and assemble them here, it would take some more days. So, we are working with whatever is available,” he said.
According to him, efforts are also underway to pump water out of the tunnel.
Neupane said that even with work continuing throughout the day, it could still be difficult to reach the area where the trapped people are believed to be.
