Kathmandu [Nepal], September 1 – Search and rescue operations have been intensified across flood and landslide-hit areas of Rasuwa, Nuwakot, Dhading, Chitwan and Nawalparasi East with joint teams including foreign experts searching for people trapped inside hydropower tunnels.
According to the Nepal Army rescue teams have entered about 50 metres into the Chilime Hydropower tunnel, 150 metres into the Langtang Hydropower tunnel and around 200 metres into the Upper Trishuli-1 tunnel as they continue their search.
At the Upper Trishuli-3A project rescuers have located the tunnel head and are pumping air inside using a compressor. They are also draining accumulated water from the tunnel. Three excavators have opened an alternative route from the rear by around 15 metres while rock breakers are being used to clear stones and create an access point.
At Upper Trishuli-3B a team including technical experts has located the tunnel entrance and is excavating inside with an excavator.
The Nepal Army said 279 people were rescued alive from various hydropower sites during the immediate response following the floods. This included 221 people from Upper Trishuli-3A, 33 from Upper Trishuli-1, nine from Mailung Hydropower and five from Devghat Hydropower.
More than 9,200 soldiers have been deployed from Timure in Rasuwa to Nuwakot, Dhading, Chitwan and Nawalparasi East. They are conducting patrols, rescuing injured people, assisting with body management, clearing blocked roads and providing emergency medical care.
The Army has also carried out disinfection operations at several affected locations to reduce the risk of infection.
As of 11 am Tuesday, 23 people had been rescued by air according to the Army.
