KATHMANDU: Two hydropower workers were rescued alive from a tunnel in Nepal on Friday, nine days after devastating floods and a glacier-related landslide struck the Trishuli River valley. The dramatic rescue has renewed hopes of finding more people trapped underground.
The two survivors were identified as Sanjay Sah, a mechanical foreman, and Kabir Maharjan, a mechanical supervisor at the Upper Trishuli 3A Hydropower Station. Rescue teams found them inside a tunnel about 170 metres underground.
The workers were taken for medical treatment after being brought out of the tunnel. Sah’s injuries were described as non-critical, while Maharjan was reported to have difficulty moving his arms and legs.
The disaster began after a glacier collapse triggered a massive surge of ice, rocks, mud and water through the Trishuli River valley on August 26. More than 1,200 people have died, while thousands remain missing.
Rescue teams had been working through thick mud and heavy debris to reach workers trapped inside several hydropower facilities. Authorities believe that hundreds of workers may still be trapped in tunnels, and the rescue operation is continuing.
The successful rescue of the two men has provided a major boost to ongoing efforts, with authorities hoping that air pockets and protected sections of the tunnels may have allowed other workers to survive.
News as Reported.
