TRAGEDY IN NEPAL: ‘Faint voices’ lead rescuers to 2 workers trapped for nine days

International

TWO workers were pulled out alive nine days after they were trapped underground from a flood-hit hydropower tunnel in Nepal, reviving hopes for dozens of others still believed to be inside.

Sanjaya Shah and Kabir Maharjan were rescued from the Trishuli 3A hydropower project early Friday, giving rescue teams a breakthrough in an operation complicated by mud, rocks and widespread damage from flash floods.

Rescuers had earlier reported hearing voices from inside the tunnel. Local reports said they called out to those trapped and received a faint response, raising hopes that people were still alive.

The two men were found with injuries to their hands and legs, possibly sustained while crawling through the tunnel. Both were airlifted to the Army Hospital in Kathmandu.

Maharjan was in critical condition, according to the prime minister’s office, while Shah was undergoing medical tests.

The discovery of the survivors was followed by the recovery of another body from the same tunnel. A local official said the body was swollen and could not immediately be identified.

Officials estimate that another 39 people may be inside the Trishuli 3A tunnel, although it remains unclear whether all of them are still alive.

Rescue operations are also continuing at six other hydropower tunnels where more than 150 people are feared trapped, as well as in 19 other locations affected by the disaster.

The work has been slowed by the scale of destruction left by the floods. Mud and rocks have blocked access to tunnels, while heavy machinery needed to clear debris was among equipment swept away by floodwaters.

Rescue crews have been digging access holes to reach underground areas, while engineers pump air into the tunnels.

According to a BBC report, Uttam Bhlon Lama, vice president of the Independent Power Producers of Nepal, said the successful rescue of the two workers had encouraged rescuers to intensify their efforts. He warned, however, that conditions remained difficult, saying, “The flood level is still very high.”

Col Jhabindra Reshmi said rescue teams had so far rescued more than 400 Nepali nationals and 270 foreign citizens following the flash floods on 26 August.

The disaster struck a Himalayan valley near Nepal’s border with Tibet in China, sending a massive surge of water and debris downstream and destroying villages, roads, vehicles and infrastructure.

Scientists are still investigating the exact cause, but the flash flood is believed to have been triggered by a glacial collapse. Climate change may also have contributed, according to scientists studying the event.

Nepalese authorities have warned that further rainfall could bring additional flooding, potentially complicating rescue operations.

At least 1,287 people are confirmed dead in Nepal, while 5,083 remain missing. On the Tibetan side, Chinese state media reported 31 deaths and 531 people unaccounted for.

Hundreds of foreign nationals are believed to be among those missing, with people from at least 34 countries affected.

The full extent of the destruction in Tibet remains unclear. Chinese state media have published information and images showing extensive damage along the border, but have provided limited details about casualties and the impact on local communities.

For rescuers in Nepal, the immediate priority remains reaching people who may still be alive beneath the mud and debris. The discovery of Shah and Maharjan has given search teams renewed reason to continue working through the difficult conditions.(MyTVCebu)