Archive · 2 Sep 2026
Hope Rises for Workers Trapped in Nepal Hydropower Tunnel
Flash floods badly damaged hydropower projects in Nepal.
Rescuers think 46 workers may be alive inside a tunnel at the Rasuwagadhi project.
The workers may have food and water in a room-like space.
They have been trapped for about one week.
Rescue teams are digging through mud, rocks and other debris to reach them.
So far, 279 people have been rescued, but at least 639 are still missing.
Teams from several countries are helping Nepal with the search.
Officials are hopeful, but the workers have not yet been found.
Officials believe 46 workers may be alive in a room-like structure inside the Rasuwagadhi hydropower tunnel.
The workers have reportedly been trapped for about a week after deadly flash floods struck the area.
Nepali authorities have rescued 279 people, while at least 639 others remain missing.
Nepali, Indian, Chinese, Korean and Australian experts are assisting rescue teams searching tunnels at several hydropower projects.
The disaster produced an estimated 2.2 million tons of debris after a glacial collapse near Nepal’s border with China.
- Who
- Forty-six workers are believed to be trapped, while Nepali authorities and international rescue teams are searching for survivors.
- What
- Rescuers are trying to reach workers believed to be alive inside an underground chamber at the Rasuwagadhi hydropower project.
- When
- The workers had reportedly been trapped for about one week as of the Reuters report dated September 2.
- Where
- At the Rasuwagadhi Hydroelectric Project in Rasuwa district, about 5 kilometers from Nepal’s border with China.
- Why
- Deadly flash floods caused by a glacial collapse sent ice, rock, mud and debris through the region and hydropower projects.
- Workers believed trapped at Rasuwagadhi
- 46
- People rescued so far
- 279
- People still missing
- At least 639
- Rasuwagadhi facility capacity
- 111 megawatts
- Estimated disaster debris
- 2.2 million tons
- Reported time workers were trapped
- About one week
- Rescue assistance
- Teams and experts from Nepal, India, China, South Korea and Australia
