Nine Days After Devastating Floods, Two Workers Rescued Alive From Nepal Hydropower Tunnel

Kathmandu, Nepal: Rescue teams in Nepal have pulled two workers alive from a hydropower tunnel, nine days after catastrophic floods and mudslides devastated parts of the country. The rescue has raised hopes that more workers believed to be trapped underground may still be alive.

The two men were rescued on Friday from a tunnel at the Upper Trishuli 3A hydropower construction site in Nepal's Rasuwa district. Officials identified the survivors as a mechanical foreman and a mechanical supervisor.

Nepalese officials said rescue teams heard voices coming from inside the tunnel on Friday morning. The sounds helped rescuers identify the location of the trapped workers and reach them.

Two Workers Rescued After Nine Days

The rescued workers were identified as Sanjay Sah, a mechanical foreman, and Kabir Maharjan, a mechanical supervisor. Both were brought out after spending nine days inside the tunnel following the devastating August 26 disaster.

Officials said the two workers were in stable condition and were taken to Kathmandu for medical treatment. Images released from the rescue operation showed rescuers carrying one of the survivors out of the affected area.

Family members expressed relief following the rescue. Amir Maharjan, the brother of Kabir Maharjan, said the family was extremely grateful after learning that he had been found alive.

Hopes Rise for More Survivors

The successful rescue has renewed hopes for other workers who may still be trapped inside hydropower tunnels affected by the floods.

According to the Independent Power Producers' Association of Nepal, at least 557 workers were reported missing from the Trishuli 3A hydropower project, with around 115 believed to be trapped inside the main tunnel.

One of the rescued workers reportedly told rescuers that several more people could still be alive inside the tunnel. Rescue teams are continuing their search operations.

Rescue Operations Continue

Nepalese authorities and rescue teams are continuing operations around the Upper Trishuli 3A project. The search has been complicated by mud, rocks and debris blocking access to parts of the tunnel.

Rescue operations are being led by Nepal's security forces, with assistance from experts from India, South Korea and China, according to reports.

Nepal's Communication Minister Bikram Timilsina has also expressed hope that additional workers can be rescued as operations continue.

Flood Disaster Leaves Thousands Missing

The hydropower rescue operation is taking place against the backdrop of a major flood and landslide disaster that struck Nepal on August 26.

According to Nepal's disaster management authorities, the disaster has killed more than 1,200 people and left thousands missing. Reuters reported that at least 1,252 people had been killed in Nepal, while more than 4,200 people remained missing at the time of its report. :contentReference[oaicite:1]{index=1}

On the Tibetan side of the border, Chinese authorities reported 21 deaths and hundreds of people missing following the disaster. :contentReference[oaicite:2]{index=2}

Hundreds of Hydropower Workers Unaccounted For

Nepal's hydropower sector has been particularly affected by the disaster. Local authorities estimate that around 900 workers are missing from several hydropower projects, with hundreds believed to be trapped inside tunnels.

The successful rescue of two workers from the Upper Trishuli 3A tunnel after nine days underground has provided a significant boost to the ongoing search-and-rescue operation.

Search for More Survivors Continues

Rescue teams are continuing efforts to reach other sections of the affected tunnels as authorities race against time to locate workers who may still be alive.

The rescue of the two workers has offered a renewed sense of hope to their families and to teams searching for others believed to be trapped underground.