Kathmandu, September 16: A rescue team involving the Nepali Army recovered three bodies from inside the tunnel of the Chilime Hydropower Project today.
While removing mud and sludge from the tunnel, a rescue team including divers discovered a hole through which water was flowing. The team entered the tunnel through the opening and searched up to the far end, where three bodies were found.
Of the three bodies, two have been recovered and brought outside, while efforts are underway to retrieve the remaining body. The Nepali Army said that further search operations inside the tunnel are continuing.
A joint search and rescue team, including foreign personnel, has been mobilizing available human resources and equipment to rescue people trapped inside the Chilime Hydropower Project tunnel following the devastating flood in the Bhotekoshi River in Rasuwa.
An excavator and loader were airlifted to Syafrubesi by helicopter. The machines were used to break rocks and construct an approximately 1,050-metre access route to the tunnel, after which continuous efforts were made to remove mud and sludge from inside.
During the sludge removal operation, rescuers discovered that water was flowing from inside the tunnel at a point about 70 metres into the tunnel. The rescue team entered through the opening and searched for approximately 130 metres.
However, the water level had risen to the upper section of the tunnel, making it impossible to use an excavator for further search and rescue operations.
