Nepalese authorities are facing immense challenges in rescuing 35 workers trapped inside a hydropower project tunnel, following destructive floods caused by a collapsing glacier. The Langtang Hydropower Project, a 20 MW facility, was severely damaged, and its managing director, Vijaymohan Bhattari, confirmed that about 60 employees are out of contact, with 35 trapped in a tunnel about 100 meters above the river surface. The project, which was in its final construction stages, saw its powerhouse completely destroyed.
Rescue efforts are being hampered by completely obstructed road networks and disconnected telephone services, making it difficult to reach the affected areas. Bhattari attempted to arrange a private helicopter for rescue, but all available helicopters had been booked by the government for broader disaster management. He emphasized that saving the lives of the trapped workers is the top priority, even as rebuilding the project will be a massive undertaking.
The widespread flooding, triggered by a glacier collapse in the Himalayan region between Nepal and Tibet, has caused significant devastation, knocking out about 8% of Nepal's electricity generation capacity. Nearly 360 megawatts of hydropower capacity have been damaged. The country may need to seek electricity from India to cover the shortfalls. Hundreds of people remain missing across Nepal and China's Tibet region, with authorities reporting 389 deaths in Nepal and over 1,400 people missing, including 517 foreigners.
