India-Nepal rescue teams clear Chilime tunnel to reach six trapped workers

Rescue teams from Nepal and India are continuing efforts to reach six workers believed to be trapped inside a tunnel at the Chilime hydropower project in Nepal’s Rasuwa district.

Heavy machinery, including an excavator, loader and Bobcat, has been taken into the tunnel to remove mud and debris and clear a route towards the underground powerhouse. India’s Ambassador to Nepal, Naveen Srivastava, said the teams had advanced around 70 metres after the machinery was deployed. The powerhouse is believed to be another 60 metres ahead, according to the project manager.

The rescue operation was expected to continue through the night. The Border Roads Organisation has prepared the approach road to the site, while the Nepal Army has built more than a kilometre of access road from Syafrubesi towards the Chilime tunnel to facilitate the movement of equipment.

Nepali Army personnel and Indian rescuers are also engaged in operations at the Upper Trishuli-3B hydropower project, where more than 100 Army personnel have reportedly been deployed.

There has been no official confirmation that rescuers have made contact with the six workers. Reports of an air pocket near the suspected location of the workers do not establish whether they are alive or whether communication has been established.

The rescue efforts follow devastating flash floods triggered by an ice-rock avalanche near the Nepal-Tibet border on August 26. The disaster reportedly killed nearly 1,400 people and left more than 5,000 missing, while damaging roads, bridges, homes and several hydropower projects. Around 100 people are believed to remain trapped in nearly a dozen hydropower-related tunnels in the affected areas.

with inputs from PTI