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Rescue operations for survivors are underway at the site of severe flood damage in Nuwakot, Nepal, on the 27th (local time). / Xinhua, Yonhap

Nepali authorities and international rescue teams are continuing search efforts to locate individuals trapped in hydropower plant tunnels or out of contact following catastrophic floods in northern Nepal. While some have been rescued, operations face significant difficulties and remain slow due to mud, flooded waters, and destroyed infrastructure.

On the 31st (local time), the Nepali online media outlet Setopati reported that Nepali rescue teams rescued three people that day at the Trishuli-1 power plant in Rasuwa District, Bagmati Province. A total of 873 people have been rescued from this site so far. More than 1,400 workers are estimated to have been on duty here at the time of the catastrophic floods.

According to the Independent Power Producers' Association of Nepal (IPPAN), Nepali authorities have deployed rescue teams to multiple power plants since the 30th to enter tunnels, drain water, and clear access routes. IPPAN stated the following day that efforts to enter tunnels, remove water, and secure access routes were successful.

However, not all power plants succeeded in securing access routes and conducting rescues.

On this day at Trishuli-3A, teams cleared the tunnel entrance, conducted blasting operations to check the interior, and are currently pumping out water. Although they secured an access route by clearing piled stones and soil at the entrance, rescue remains extremely difficult as the tunnel interior is completely filled with water.

At Trishuli-3B, rescue is difficult as the power plant structures were washed away by the floods. The nearby Trishuli 3B Hub Substation was also completely destroyed.

At the Rasuwagadhi Hydropower Plant, a total of 93 people, including 49 power plant employees, remain out of contact. Led by the Nepali Army, rescue teams entered the tunnel. Engineers and a drone team also participated, conducting a drone search inside, but no missing persons were found.

At the Chilime Hydropower Plant, the Nepali Army, mountaineers, and an Indian technical team joined forces, with power plant technicians also participating in the rescue. They cleared a route to the power plant and entered approximately 90 meters into the 250-meter-long tunnel, but could not advance further.

At the Langtang Khola Hydropower Plant, a rescue team led by the Nepali Army arrived on site, accompanied by the Indian Army and engineers. They inspected the tunnel and the power plant but found no trapped individuals. The power plant management stated that it would continue its own rescue efforts the following day.

                                                                                                            Park Jin-sook