Ujyalo Nepal Party Chairman and former energy minister Kulman Ghising has said that recent signs have strengthened hopes and indications that people believed to be trapped inside the tunnel of the Chilime Hydropower Project may still be alive.
Writing on Facebook, Ghising said that the flow of cool air from inside the tunnel has raised hopes that the workers feared trapped inside could be safe.
Six employees are believed to be trapped inside the underground powerhouse of the Chilime Hydropower Project in Rasuwa.
They have been out of contact since the flood on August 26.
Sixteen days have passed since the flood. Ghising said that when sounds are sent into the tunnel, echoes can be heard, while air is also passing through, leading to an assessment that the missing workers could still be alive if they remain inside.
“Based on my experience operating the powerhouse as managing director of Chilime Hydropower Company, I have been providing technical advice, coordination, and facilitation to the rescue team. Efforts to remove large amounts of mud, sand, and rocks accumulated in the main access tunnel leading to the powerhouse are being intensified. The rescue team is continuously moving forward while clearing the mud,” Ghising wrote.
He added, “When a sound was sent from a narrowed section of the tunnel, an echo was heard from approximately 120 meters inside. Cool air is also coming from that area, strengthening the hope and assessment that the people trapped inside the tunnel may be safe.”
According to Ghising, around 100 meters now remain before rescuers reach the powerhouse. He said that every meter of progress and every sign detected at this stage has given everyone renewed hope.
He also said that excavators are being used to construct a road from the Syafrubesi side toward the tunnel and that it is expected to reach the tunnel on Friday.
“Once excavators and loaders reach the site, the rescue operation will accelerate. With confidence that the rescue operation will succeed, the entire team is working around the clock with high morale,” he wrote.
Ghising expressed his gratitude to the Nepal Army, Nepal Police, Armed Police Force, the Indian Army’s expert rescue team, local administration, all employees of Chilime Hydropower Company, and everyone else who has provided direct or indirect support during the difficult and sensitive situation.
“May we be able to safely rescue all those inside the tunnel,” he wrote.
