Nepal has recently faced serious challenges due to devastating floods. Nearly three weeks have passed since these floods, and rescue teams are nearing the final stages of rescuing six individuals trapped in the Chilime hydropower tunnel.
Rescue Challenges in the Tunnel
Indian and Nepali rescue teams have managed to clear about 150 meters of the tunnel and are now only 50 meters away from the main station of the power plant, where these workers are trapped. However, there are many challenges ahead for the rescue teams, including the presence of water inside the tunnel and a negative slope that complicates the clearing of debris and pumping of water.
Sagar Dakal, a Nepali representative and hydro-mechanical engineer involved in the rescue operation, stated that the teams are working at night and hope to make further progress on Tuesday, provided they do not encounter new obstacles.
Ongoing Efforts and International Cooperation
Dakal said, "With machinery, we reached a height of nearly 100 meters, and with the help of individuals, we achieved 150 meters in the tunnel. The tunnel is approximately 220 meters long, so there are still 50 meters remaining." The main challenge currently is the presence of a water pool in a narrow section of the tunnel where Nepali army rescue forces are conducting manual operations.
The rescue teams are trying to introduce a small pump capable of pumping water from the site. If the water is drained and the machinery can continue its work without encountering large rocks or other obstacles, Dakal believes that the teams can make significant progress.
Dakal also mentioned the positive cooperation between Indian and Nepali rescue forces, stating, "We are all working hand in hand. Whether the Indian army or the Nepali army, we are all friends and working for a common goal." He also referred to the assistance of an Indian army officer named Parikshit in the operation, adding that he has previous experience in tunnel operations.
Dakal emphasized that this incident should prompt reviews of the design of hydropower tunnels and emergency preparedness. He said, "We are really losing a critical section. There is no safe escape route."
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