Rescue Efforts Intensify in Chilime Tunnel as Teams Approach Final Stages

Rescue teams from Nepal and India are on the brink of completing their mission to clear the Chilime tunnel, where six workers remain trapped. As of September 14, 2026, the teams are diligently working to remove the last blockages, employing heavy machinery like excavators and loaders.

According to Indian Ambassador to Nepal, Naveen Srivastava, the operation has encountered some unforeseen hurdles, including water inflow and large boulders obstructing progress. To tackle the water issue, mud pumps are being utilized, and the teams are hopeful that by Tuesday, they will be able to advance further into the tunnel.

This rescue mission was prompted by catastrophic flash floods that occurred on August 26, following an ice-rock avalanche near the Nepal-Tibet border. The floods have wreaked havoc across northern and central Nepal, resulting in approximately 1,400 fatalities and leaving over 5,000 individuals unaccounted for.

Source: www.thehindu.com