Three Bodies Found Inside Chilime Hydropower Tunnel in Rasuwa

Dragon Media Correspondent

A joint search and rescue team on Wednesday recovered three bodies from inside a tunnel of the Chilime Hydropower Project in Rasuwa following the recent flood disaster. According to the Nepal Army, the bodies were found after a specialized team, including foreign experts and divers, reached the far end of the tunnel.

The Army said an excavator and a loader were airlifted by helicopter to Syabrubesi and then used to break through rock and construct an access route of approximately 1,050 meters to reach the tunnel. Rescue teams subsequently began clearing mud and debris from inside the tunnel to expand access for the search operation.

During the clearance work, rescuers discovered water flowing from an opening around 70 meters inside the tunnel. The team entered through the opening and searched up to approximately 130 meters, but rising water had reached near the upper section of the tunnel, making it impossible to proceed further with an excavator.

A specialized team equipped with divers then entered through the same opening on Wednesday and searched up to the end of the tunnel. Three bodies were found during the operation, the Army said. Two of the bodies have already been brought outside, while efforts are continuing to recover the remaining body.

According to the Nepal Army, the search operation has progressed by gradually removing accumulated mud and creating necessary breakthroughs inside the tunnel. The presence of water, thick sediment and structural obstructions has made the rescue operation extremely difficult.