Kathmandu, Sept 21: Thirty-nine people have been confirmed dead and 439 remain missing following the devastating August 26 flood at the 216 MW Upper Trishuli-1 Hydropower Project under construction in Rasuwa.
The flood, which swept down the Bhotekoshi and Trishuli rivers, caused extensive damage to the project site.
In a statement issued Monday, project developer Nepal Water and Energy Development Company said about 1,433 people were working at the site when the flood struck. They included Nepali, Korean, Chinese and Indian personnel employed by consultants, the main contractor and subcontractors.
So far, 877 people have been rescued safely, while another 78 have established contact. Search operations continue for the 439 still unaccounted for.
Heavy vehicles and trucks were found overturned between the dam site and the main tunnel. Rescue teams are clearing mud and debris amid fears that workers may be trapped inside tunnels, the underground powerhouse and other structures.
The Nepali Army, Armed Police Force, Nepal Police, Korean experts and the project team are jointly carrying out the operation. Trained dogs and mountain rescue personnel have also been deployed.
People’s News Monitoring Service
With roads to the project site completely washed away, two mini excavators, generators and gas-cutting equipment were transported by helicopter. Teams are using the equipment to remove debris and cut through steel bars.
Workers are also clearing accumulated mud and draining water from the project camp at Mailung.
Bodies recovered from the flood are being flown by Nepali Army helicopters to the army camp in Bidur, Nuwakot, to help relatives identify them.
The company said it was providing immediate funeral expenses to bereaved families, along with psychosocial counselling and regular updates to families of the missing.
Despite difficult terrain, poor communications, risks inside underground structures and the threat of further landslides, rescue teams continue their work. The company said it was coordinating with the home and energy ministries and the government’s “war room,” with the search for missing workers its top priority.
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