Archive · 3 Sep 2026
Nepal Flood Survivor Describes Escape Through Darkened Hydropower Tunnel
A powerful flood trapped workers inside a tunnel at a hydropower project in Nepal.
Vishnu Bahadur Thapa was one of 35 workers who escaped.
He said the lights went out before water rushed into the tunnel.
The workers had to move through dark, neck-high water.
Thapa dragged himself for about three kilometres and thought he might not survive.
After about two hours, the group finally saw daylight.
He was especially worried about his wife, son and daughter, but they were safe.
The flood damaged at least 12 hydropower projects.
It was linked to a glacial landslide, and many people were still dead or missing.
Vishnu Bahadur Thapa was among 35 workers rescued from a hydropower project after flooding on August 26.
He said a strong wind, a possible earthquake warning, a power outage and rising water trapped workers inside the tunnel.
Thapa described crawling or dragging himself through neck-high water for about three kilometres before reaching safety.
He said he feared he would die and worried about his family, who were later found safe.
At least 12 hydropower projects were damaged, while more than 1,200 people were confirmed dead and about 4,000 remained missing.
- Who
- Vishnu Bahadur Thapa and 34 other hydropower project workers were rescued; more than 1,200 people were confirmed dead and about 4,000 were missing.
- What
- Floodwater trapped workers inside a hydropower-project tunnel, while widespread flooding damaged infrastructure and caused heavy casualties.
- When
- The flood occurred on August 26; the article says some people had remained trapped for eight days or more.
- Where
- At a hydropower project along Nepal’s Bhote Koshi River, with flooding also affecting the Trishuli River region near the border with Tibet, China.
- Why
- The deadly slurry originated from a glacial landslide in the small Lhende River and moved downstream.
- Rescued workers
- 35 workers, including Vishnu Bahadur Thapa
- Flood date
- August 26
- Tunnel escape
- About two hours through darkness and water
- Distance traveled
- Approximately 3 kilometres
- Hydropower damage
- At least 12 projects damaged
- Confirmed deaths
- More than 1,200
- Missing people
- Around 4,000