Five bodies were recovered on Wednesday from the 216-megawatt Upper Trishuli-1 hydropower project in Rasuwa district, three weeks after devastating floods hit the area.

The bodies were found in the Audit-3 tunnel by a joint team from the Nepali Army and the hydropower project during an ongoing search and rescue operation, said Druba Prasad Adhikari, assistant chief district officer of Rasuwa.

Rescuers brought all five bodies out of the tunnel on Wednesday, Adhikari said.

Authorities were working to identify the victims, with further details expected as the search continues. Rescue teams were still operating at the site on Wednesday.

The August 26 floods caused widespread destruction in Rasuwa and other districts along the Bhotekoshi and Trishuli river corridors, killing hundreds of people, leaving thousands unaccounted for and damaging hydropower projects and other infrastructure.