Home Minister Sudan Gurung has defended his decision to coordinate the country’s flood response remotely after facing criticism on social media over his presence at the rescue site on Friday.

Gurung travelled by helicopter from Kathmandu to the Trishuli 3A hydropower project in the morning, where two workers trapped underground for nine days were rescued alive.

A video showing Gurung carrying an oxygen cylinder connected to one of the rescued workers as he headed towards a helicopter drew critical reactions on social media. Gurung responded in a Facebook post, saying the focus should be on the results of the rescue operation rather than where he was working.

“For years, we have suffered the consequences of leading only from our desks without understanding the reality on the ground,” Gurung said. “It surprises me that some people are still pressuring us to follow the same old approach while expecting different and better results.”

“Working through digital channels is much faster and more effective than sitting behind a desk. So rather than worrying about where I am, I ask that you focus on the results.”

Gurung said the Home Ministry’s disaster-response machinery was functioning and that he had not needed to remain physically at the ministry.

According to Gurung, the Disaster Response Command Centre was operating with senior officials from relevant ministries and agencies.

He said he was also attending regular online meetings to direct the response.

“We are conducting command operations and strategic meetings online every four hours,” he said.

‘The hope remains alive’

In a separate Facebook post following Friday’s rescue, Gurung said the discovery of two survivors had kept hopes alive for others who may still be trapped.

The two workers, Sanjay Sah of Saptari and Kabir Maharjan of Kathmandu, were rescued alive from the Trishuli 3A tunnel on Friday morning. Both were flown to Kathmandu for medical treatment.

“Despite the continuous and difficult challenges, I sincerely thank the teams from the Nepali Army, Nepal Police, Armed Police Force and the Central Command Centre who have been involved in the rescue,” Gurung said.

He said rescue teams were continuing to work in all the tunnels.

Gurung was at the site during the rescue operation and later returned to Kathmandu.

The search and rescue operation has continued since the Bhotekoshi river flood struck the Trishuli 3A project area on August 26, damaging the hydropower project and trapping workers inside its underground structures.

The rescue of Sah and Maharjan has renewed hopes that others feared trapped in the disaster could still be found alive.