Nepal Flood Tunnel Rescue: 2 Survivors Pulled Alive in Trishuli Disaster

Nepal Flood Tunnel Rescue: Trishuli Disaster Operation Enters Critical Phase

SHYOK WEB DESK | NEWS REPORT

The Nepal Flood Tunnel Rescue operation is continuing at the Trishuli 3A Hydropower Station after a catastrophic flash flood buried sections of the project and left multiple workers trapped inside a collapsed tunnel system.

Authorities confirm that two workers have been rescued alive after more than a week underground, while the body of a third victim has also been recovered. Rescue teams say the search operation remains highly challenging due to unstable terrain and ongoing risks.

Flood Disaster at Trishuli Hydro-power Site

The incident under the Nepal Flood Tunnel Rescue began after a massive flash flood struck the Nepal–Tibet border region, reportedly triggered by a glacial collapse.

The disaster caused widespread destruction across hydro-power infrastructure, burying access points and altering the landscape beyond recognition.

Officials estimate that more than 1,300 people have lost their lives across the broader disaster zone, with many still missing.

Tunnel Entrance Completely Buried

Rescue operations faced immediate difficulty as the tunnel entrance at Trishuli was completely buried under mud, rocks, and debris.

To locate the entry point, teams used:

• Satellite imagery and mapping data
• Historical topographic records
• Helicopter surveillance footage
• Remaining surface infrastructure clues

Engineers were eventually able to identify the most likely entry point and begin excavation work.

Expert Calls Operation “Layer Upon Layer of Miracles”

International tunnelling expert Arnold Dix, who is advising Nepal’s authorities, described the Nepal Flood Tunnel Rescue as an extremely complex mission.

He stated that the operation required rescuers to:

• Estimate underground tunnel direction
• Carefully dig through unstable debris
• Listen for possible survivor signals

He called the successful rescue of survivors “layer upon layer of miracles.”

Two Survivors Rescued Alive

In a breakthrough moment of the Nepal Flood Tunnel Rescue, two men were successfully pulled out alive from deep inside the tunnel.

Officials believe the existence of small air pockets inside the tunnel system allowed the survivors to remain alive for more than a week.

However, a third worker was found dead, believed to have been trapped while attempting to escape floodwaters.

 

 

 

 

 

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Dozens Still Feared Trapped

Authorities say that approximately 39 workers may still be trapped inside different sections of the tunnel system.

The Nepal Flood Tunnel Rescue continues under extremely dangerous conditions, including:

• Risk of further landslides
• Floodwater accumulation
• Weak tunnel structure
• Limited visibility underground

Nepal Army personnel and engineering teams are continuing round-the-clock operations.

Search Enters High-Risk Phase

Rescue officials warn that the next phase of the Nepal Flood Tunnel Rescue is critical, as unstable ground conditions could slow down progress further.

Despite risks, teams remain hopeful that additional survivors may still be found in protected air pockets inside the tunnel.

Climate Concerns Highlighted

Experts link the disaster to broader climate risks in the Himalayan region, where melting glaciers and extreme rainfall events are becoming increasingly frequent.

The Nepal Flood Tunnel Rescue has once again highlighted the urgent need for improved disaster preparedness in high-altitude infrastructure projects.

CONCLUSION

The Nepal Flood Tunnel Rescue remains one of the most complex rescue operations in recent regional history. While the successful rescue of two workers has brought hope, the mission continues with dozens still missing.

Authorities say the operation will continue until all possibilities of survival are fully exhausted.

External Sources (DoFollow Links): 

Read more on BBC: How Nepal flood survivors were rescued from tunnel

For further insights at WSJ: Two men pulled alive from tunnel after nine days