Around 121 people are believed to be trapped inside tunnels at hydropower projects affected by the Bhotekoshi floods, the Nepali Army said. The floods damaged about 11 hydropower projects, including several in Rasuwa district.

At a briefing on Monday, the army said roughly 900 people associated with the affected projects had initially been reported unaccounted for, but that figure did not mean all of them were trapped inside tunnels.

“The figure of around 900 provided by the projects does not represent people trapped inside the tunnels,” an army representative said. “They are people associated with the projects. We estimate that around 121 people are actually trapped inside the tunnels.”

The army said search and rescue operations would continue until all tunnels had been breached and searched, unless the government decides to call off the operation.

“We will continue until all the tunnels have been broken through, or until the government decides to stop the operation,” the representative said. “Our hope is still alive.”

What the army is doing at the affected tunnels

Rasuwagadhi Hydropower Project: A joint team comprising search-and-rescue personnel, a rapid response team and project representatives has reached the powerhouse and control room and is carrying out searches.

Trishuli 3A: Army personnel equipped with rescue gear have been conducting continuous search-and-rescue operations inside the powerhouse and tunnels.

Trishuli 3B: An army team entered through Audit-2 and exited through Audit-1. Crews are clearing debris from the Audit-2 tunnel to create enough space to bring in excavation equipment. No people or other materials have been found so far.

Chilime Hydro: A joint team, including foreign technicians, has been clearing mud from the tunnel using a small excavator and a pump to remove sludge. An excavator flown by helicopter to Syabrubesi is being transported to the tunnel site using ropes.

Upper Trishuli-1: A team including foreign technicians has continued searching inside the tunnel using thermal imaging cameras.