Rescue efforts at Chilime hydroelectricity: 100 meters of the 250 meters tunnel were cleared

20 August, Kathmandu. Efforts are being made to rescue those trapped inside the tunnels at the Chilime hydropower project.

Due to the geographical difficulty, adverse weather conditions and the complete disconnection of the road network, it is becoming difficult to deliver the manpower, materials and equipment required for rescue to the scene of the incident.

Currently, 21 people from the Nepali Army and the Indian Army have entered the tunnel and are engaged in manual removal of soil and heavy debris. About 100 meters of the 250 meters long tunnel has been cleaned.

However, since it is difficult to carry out the rescue work only manually, preparations are being made to bring a big excavator to the scene. Since an access road has to be constructed from Syafrubensi to the Powerhouse Portal to take the excavator, the access road construction work has been advanced since Saturday.

Similarly, work is being done on the option of taking the excavator through the tunnel itself. For that, the removal of soil and debris of about 100 meters inside the tunnel is ongoing.

Since it is not possible to land a large helicopter at the incident site, efforts are being made to deliver necessary materials and equipment through small helicopters.

The team said that the rescue work has become challenging due to the geographical conditions and lack of infrastructure, but the efforts have not stopped.

Expansion of the access road, delivery of necessary equipment to the scene and cleaning of the tunnel have been continued with high priority.