Nepal rescuers focus on 900 hydropower workers, 121 could be trapped in tunnels, officials say - Reuters

**Rescue Operations Intensify After Flash Flood Hits Hydropower Site**

A sudden flash flood on Saturday swept through the rugged hills of eastern Nepal, unleashing a massive mudslide that engulfed a partially completed hydropower complex in the Dhankuta district. At the time of the disaster, roughly 900 construction workers were stationed inside the project’s extensive tunnel network. Officials from the Nepalese Army, the National Search and Rescue Agency (NSRA), and local disaster management teams now estimate that 121 of those workers may be trapped within the flooded tunnels, while the rest have been accounted for or evacuated.

In response, a multi‑agency rescue mission has been mobilised around the clock. The NSRA has deployed specialist dive teams, heavy‑equipment units, and a team of experienced tunnel rescuers led by renowned Nepali rescuer *Silkyara Fame*, who joined the operation on Sunday. International assistance has also arrived; a Chinese national rescued earlier in the day highlighted the cross‑border nature of the emergency, prompting diplomatic coordination for medical evacuation and logistical support. Rescue crews are using sonar equipment, inflatable pumps, and portable generators to clear debris and restore air circulation within the tunnels.

As of Monday, rescuers have reported two survivors emerging from the underground chambers, confirming that at least some workers remain alive despite the hazardous conditions. However, the search remains fraught with difficulty—unstable rock, continuing water inflow, and limited daylight in the deep tunnels are hampering progress. Government spokesperson Rajendra Sharma urged the public to stay clear of the area and pledged that all available resources will continue to be deployed until the missing workers are located, noting that the incident has temporarily halted the hydropower project, which is slated to boost Nepal’s renewable‑energy capacity upon completion.

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