▲ Nepal massive flood rescue operations (File Photo)
It has entered the sixth day since a massive flood struck the Himalayan mountainous region on the Nepal-China border.
Nepali authorities are making all-out efforts to rescue up to an estimated 900 missing people believed to be trapped inside the tunnels of hydropower plants.
On the 31st local time, Nepal's Disaster Management Authority stated that an estimated minimum of 933 workers are trapped inside the tunnels at about six hydropower plant sites in Nepal due to the massive flood.
Accordingly, rescue operations are focusing on gaining access to the tunnels of these plants, including the Trishuli 3A and 3B hydropower plants in Bagmati Province, central Nepal, which are among the affected areas.
Among them, at the Trishuli 3A plant, rescue workers successfully drilled four holes into the upper part of the tunnel the previous day and entered the interior.
Rescue teams are currently working to check the locations and conditions of those trapped inside.
Photos and videos shared by the rescue teams showed heavy machinery digging out and clearing mud and rocks, while rescue workers, including the Nepalese army and police, entered pits trying to find a space to access the tunnel.
Raja Ram Basnet, a spokesperson for the Nepalese army, told Reuters, "We are facing great difficulties in opening the tunnel because a tremendous amount of debris has piled up," adding, "Our main goal is to open the tunnel."
Narendra Pariyar, the chief administrator of Rasuwa, the worst-hit area, reported that rescue operations gained speed as the weather improved that day.
However, it remains unknown whether the Upper Trishuli-1 plant, which could potentially have missing South Korean nationals, is included among these six plants.
Surendra Dauluri (33), an Indian worker who worked at the Upper Trishuli-1 plant and was rescued on the 29th, told AFP that at the time of the flood, "I heard a very loud noise and saw the turbine room floor submerged in water mixed with mud and ice, trapping six workers inside."
He added that some workers evacuated to high ground or construction areas beyond the reach of the torrents, saying, "We rescued five of them, but one person died."
That day, the South Korean government's joint quick response team planned to move a land search team consisting of nine personnel from the National Fire Agency to the Ramche area, 1 to 2 kilometers away from the accident site, and have them camp overnight there.
They also plan to attempt searches using helicopters and unmanned aerial vehicles (drones) with permission from Nepalese authorities.
According to Nepal's Disaster Management Authority, as of that day, the death toll from floods within Nepal rose to at least 903, with 4,247 missing (including 592 foreigners).
Combined with the 16 deaths and 546 missing persons (including 261 foreigners) in the Xizang (Tibet) Autonomous Region tallied by Chinese authorities, the total casualties from this flood reach at least 919 deaths and 4,793 missing persons.
Authorities in Uttar Pradesh, northern India, bordering Nepal, announced that they have recovered 17 bodies suspected to be flood victims from locations such as the Gandak River, downstream of Nepal's flooded Trishuli River.
Indian authorities are verifying the identities of these bodies, and they have not yet been included in the official death toll compiled by Nepalese authorities.
Prime Minister Balendra Shah of Nepal posted on Facebook, "Our country is facing an unimaginable and heartbreaking natural disaster," adding, "It is extremely difficult to fully grasp the scale of damage to lives, property, and infrastructure."
He further stated, "Although this (rescue and recovery) mission faces difficulties due to bad weather, rugged terrain, and ongoing risks, we will move forward with the determination to protect the lives of our citizens."
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