Archive · 31 Aug 2026
Indian, Nepali Teams Intensify Search in Flooded Hydropower Tunnels
Floods damaged several hydropower projects in Nepal last week.
Some workers may still be trapped or cannot be contacted.
Indian tunnel rescue specialists are helping the Nepal Army search the tunnels.
The teams are working in the Chilime and Langtang areas.
They used helicopters to inspect the damage.
They also brought pumps and excavators to help with the rescue.
Seven Indian nationals and 15 Chinese nationals were rescued on Sunday.
Another flood damaged more structures at the Chilime project and stopped work there.
Rescue teams are continuing their efforts at other sites.
Indian tunnel rescuers and the Nepal Army searched sites in Chilime and Langtang.
Flooding in the Bhote Koshi River affected hydropower projects last week.
IPPAN said 897 workers at 11 projects remained out of contact.
Seven Indian and 15 Chinese nationals were rescued on Sunday.
A fresh flood halted rescue work at the 22MW Chilime project.
- Who
- Indian tunnel rescue specialists, the Nepal Army, and Chinese technicians are involved in the operations; 897 workers remain out of contact according to IPPAN.
- What
- Teams are searching and rescuing people trapped or unaccounted for inside hydropower tunnels.
- When
- Operations continued on Monday after flooding last week; 22 foreign nationals were rescued on Sunday.
- Where
- Hydropower projects in Nepal’s Rasuwa and Nuwakot districts, especially Chilime and Langtang.
- Why
- The Nepali government requested international assistance after flooding in the Bhote Koshi River damaged hydropower sites.
- Workers out of contact
- 897 people at 11 hydropower projects, according to the Independent Power Producers’ Association, Nepal.
- Affected districts
- Rasuwa and Nuwakot, Nepal.
- Rescued nationals
- Seven Indian and 15 Chinese nationals were rescued on Sunday.
- Main search areas
- Chilime and Langtang.
- Chilime project
- The Chilime Hydropower Project has a capacity of 22MW.
- Operational setback
- A fresh flood swept away structures in the Chilime dam area and halted rescue work there.
- Rescue equipment
- Teams brought pumps and excavators to support operations.
