Rescuers in Nepal have resumed efforts to reach hydropower workers believed to be trapped in tunnels flooded by debris from recent catastrophic floods. The search comes after heavy rains and rising river levels temporarily stalled progress. According to the Nepal government, more than 100 workers might still be alive and caught in multiple tunnels at hydropower projects, with primary focus placed on the Trishuli 3A and 3B sites. These efforts follow a massive flash flood triggered by a glacier collapse near the border with Tibet on Wednesday, which has claimed at least 750 lives and left over 3,000 people missing. The flood was caused by a section of a glacier collapsing at around 5,200 meters high in the Himalayas, sending a torrent of rock and debris down into the Lende River. This surge traveled southward through Nepal's Rasuwa, Nuwakot, and Dhading districts, causing the Trishuli River to rise nearly nine meters within 30 minutes. The U.S. Geological Survey later corrected its initial assessment, determining that the seismic activity was actually due to the landslide rather than an earthquake. At Trishuli 3A in Nepal's Rasuwa District, army rescue teams used drills to break into the upper portion of a mud-filled tunnel, beginning to pump air and sending in a camera. However, overnight rains and rising river levels hindered progress early Sunday, filling the excavation site with water before conditions improved. A Nepal Army statement confirmed that efforts had resumed once floodwaters receded, utilizing drilling machines, excavators, and hydraulic cutters to locate the tunnel entrance. The government has sought assistance from India and China to bolster its rescue operations, aiming to fill critical gaps in its capabilities. Officials are striving to employ specialized expertise to determine if any individuals are still alive and can be rescued. Meanwhile, international aid has begun arriving from organizations including the United Nations, the Red Cross Federation, and several nations such as Australia, India, South Korea, and the United States. Financial contributions include $3.6 million each from the U.S. and Canada, $6.8 million from the UK, and $2.5 million from the UN. In response to the disaster, Nepal's Prime Minister, Balendra Shah, has linked the floods to climate change, calling for global action to mitigate the increasing risks faced by the Himalayan region. He emphasized the need for international cooperation to address environmental challenges contributing to such disasters. Additionally, Nepal's Foreign Minister, Shisir Khanal, discussed collaboration with China to establish a data-sharing mechanism aimed at identifying potential flood risks. Survivors in Nepal's Nuwakot district continue to sift through mud and debris searching for personal items lost during the floods. At least 781 people have died, with over 2,500 remaining missing following the glacier collapse that unleashed mud and debris through mountain valleys. As the situation evolves, the focus remains on locating and rescuing those still trapped, while also addressing the broader implications of climate change and regional cooperation in disaster prevention and management.
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