A multinational expert team is continuing to search for the workers trapped in the Rasuwa and Nuwakot hydropower projects damaged due to the devastating floods in the Bhotekoshi River and to restore the power supply.
The Ministry of Energy, Water Resources and Irrigation issued a statement on Saturday saying that the work of rescue, relief and repair of electricity infrastructure in the affected areas has been carried out on a war footing.
According to the ministry, a joint team of Nepali Army, Indian Army, South Korean disaster experts and project engineers are currently involved in reclamation, blasting, hole construction and lead removal in the dangerous tunnel.
On the 11th day of flooding from the Upper Trishuli-1 (216 MW) tunnel, the Nepalese Army and South Korea's expert team have successfully rescued a Chinese citizen. According to the ministry, all available resources have been mobilized for the search of the remaining contactless persons in the project.
On the other hand, 21 rescue personnel from the Nepalese Army and the Indian Army have been deployed to rescue those trapped in the Chilime hydropower project where the road network has been cut off.
Amid adverse weather conditions, rescue workers have cleared about 100 meters of the 250-meter long tunnel by manually removing the debris.
Construction of an access road to the Shafru Powerhouse portal has been started to accommodate large-capacity excavators, while the necessary equipment is being transported by small helicopters.
The government of Switzerland has provided a state-of-the-art drone to Nepal under the special initiative of the Minister of Energy to find out the situation inside the dangerous tunnel.
According to the ministry, this technology will help to make the search and rescue operations faster, safer and more effective by assessing the risk inside the tunnel.
More modern equipment including excavators, backhoe loaders, bobcats and drones are currently being deployed to open the damaged tunnel.
Nepal Electricity Authority has resumed power supply in the areas where the electricity service was completely stopped due to flood, even on public holidays.
According to the ministry, electricity service has been operated in almost all areas of Dhading, while in Nuwakot, about 96 percent and about 78 percent of Rasuwa have been electrified.
CDE of the Ministry has ensured access to electricity by providing alternative means such as Solar Tuki through the Alternative Energy Promotion Center (AIPC) in the remote places that cannot be reached by the national transmission line. And Assistant Spokesperson Shaligram Bhandari has informed.
Published: 20 Bhadra 2083 19:17 Saturday
