Kathmandu, August 31, 2026

Nepal has intensified rescue operations to locate and evacuate hundreds of workers believed to be trapped inside tunnels at several hydropower projects after devastating flash floods struck the country’s northern region.

The floods, which followed a major glacial and landslide-related disaster along the Nepal-Tibet border, caused widespread destruction across parts of Nepal. Hydropower infrastructure was among the worst affected, with tunnel entrances buried under massive quantities of mud, rocks and debris.

According to reports, hundreds of workers remain unaccounted for at hydropower projects in Rasuwa and Nuwakot districts. The Upper Trishuli projects are among the key locations where rescue teams are concentrating their efforts. At one site, more than 100 people are feared to remain trapped underground.

India and China Assist Rescue Operations

Nepal has sought specialised technical assistance from both India and China as rescuers face extremely difficult conditions inside the damaged tunnels. Rescue teams are working to clear debris and create access points while also attempting to provide air to people who may still be alive underground.

At the Upper Trishuli-3A project, rescuers have made progress in locating the tunnel entrance and are working to widen access so that personnel equipped with oxygen cylinders can enter the affected area.

Rescue Operations Hampered by Difficult Terrain

The rescue mission has been complicated by continuing bad weather, unstable terrain, rising river levels and extensive damage to roads and bridges. Thick mud and debris have also made it difficult for heavy equipment and rescue teams to reach the tunnel entrances.

Nepali security forces, along with civilian rescuers and international specialists, are participating in the search and evacuation operations. Authorities are racing against time as families wait for information about missing workers.

Wider Disaster Leaves Thousands Missing

The tunnel rescue operation is part of a much larger emergency in Nepal. The flash floods and landslides have killed hundreds of people and left more than 3,000 people missing across Nepal and the Tibet region, according to the latest reports.

Officials and rescue agencies continue to search affected areas while warning that further flooding and unstable conditions could hamper operations.

For Nepal, the immediate priority remains reaching those trapped underground, recovering the missing and providing relief to communities devastated by one of the region’s most severe recent natural disasters.