Rescue Efforts Intensify as Flash Floods Devastate Nepal
By Editor • September 5, 2026 • 1 min read
In the wake of catastrophic flash floods that struck Nepal on August 26, 2026, rescue operations are gaining momentum at the Chilime hydropower site in Rasuwa district. An Indian tunnel rescue team, collaborating closely with the Nepali Army, has made significant progress by establishing a temporary track within the Chilime tunnel to facilitate the entry of heavy equipment, authorities reported on September 5.
On September 4, the rescue teams undertook critical work to drain water from the tunnel, which had been obstructing their operations. Indian Ambassador to Nepal, Naveen Srivastava, confirmed this development and highlighted that medical personnel accompanying the rescue team conducted a health camp for the impacted local community.
The flash floods have had a devastating impact, leading to the deaths of 1,344 individuals and leaving thousands unaccounted for, with many feared trapped in tunnels at various hydropower sites. The floods, reportedly triggered by an ice and rock avalanche near the Nepal-Tibet border, have displaced over 32,000 people, damaging essential infrastructure including homes, roads, and healthcare facilities.
As rescue efforts continue, expert teams from India and China are aiding local authorities in locating approximately 900 missing workers across a dozen hydropower projects, with around 500 believed to be inside tunnels.
Source: www.thehindu.com
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