2 days ago
Indian Rescuers Join Nepali Army at Flood-Hit Tunnel Sites
Floods damaged parts of Nepal and may have trapped workers inside hydropower tunnels.
An Indian tunnel rescue team joined the Nepali Army to search the tunnels.
The rescuers worked in difficult weather near Chilime and Langtang.
They entered one tunnel near the Langtang project and recovered one person’s remains.
A separate 19-member Indian team went to Kathmandu to help identify victims using DNA tests.
India also sent relief supplies such as blankets, sleeping bags and hygiene kits.
Some Indian citizens crossed from China into Nepal safely.
Other Indian citizens were still in China and were reported safe.
An Indian tunnel rescue team joined the Nepali Army’s search operations in Chilime and Langtang.
The team entered a tunnel near the Langtang hydropower project and recovered one person’s mortal remains.
A 19-member Indian forensic team began helping Nepal analyze DNA samples to identify victims.
India’s fourth relief flight delivered 11 tonnes of supplies, including blankets, tarpaulins and hygiene kits.
By 9:30 p.m. Sunday, 403 Indian nationals had crossed from China into Nepal, while 500 remained safely in China.
- Who
- Indian tunnel rescuers, a 19-member Indian forensic team and the Nepali Army are involved; Ambassador Naveen Srivastava briefed the forensic team.
- What
- The teams are conducting tunnel search-and-rescue operations, identifying victims through DNA analysis and delivering flood relief supplies.
- Where
- Hydropower tunnel sites in Chilime and Langtang, Kathmandu, and the China-Nepal crossing route.
- When
- Sunday; the Indian Ministry of External Affairs reported the movement of Indian nationals as of 9:30 p.m.
- Why
- The operations support Nepal after catastrophic floods, locate people believed trapped in tunnels and identify mortal remains.
Key facts
- Rescue locations
- Chilime and Langtang hydropower tunnel sites
- Recovered remains
- One person’s mortal remains were retrieved from a tunnel near the Langtang hydroelectric project.
- Forensic team
- A 19-member Indian team is assisting with DNA sample analysis in Kathmandu.
- Relief shipment
- India’s fourth flight delivered 11 tonnes of relief supplies.
- Supplies
- The consignment included blankets, sleeping bags, tarpaulins, plastic sheets and hygiene kits.
- Indian nationals in Nepal
- 403 Indian nationals had safely crossed into Nepal from China by 9:30 p.m. Sunday.
- Indian nationals in China
- 500 Indian nationals remained in China and were reported safe.
Quotes
Ministry of External Affairs
India’s foreign ministry
“The tunnel rescue team from India worked with the Nepali Army’s team to conduct search and rescue operations at hydropower tunnel sites in Chilime and Langtang area today. The team will continue to conduct search and rescue operations in close coordination with the Nepali Army.”
thestatesman.com
thehansindia.com
“The fourth flight carrying 11 tonnes of relief supplies has arrived in Nepal, with the materials handed over to the concerned authorities as part of ongoing support following the devastating floods.”
thehansindia.com










