Nepali rescue teams have resumed critical drilling operations into tunnels at hydropower projects, where over 100 workers are feared trapped following devastating flash floods and mudslides. The catastrophe, triggered by a collapsing glacier, has claimed at least 750 lives and left thousands missing, prompting an urgent international aid response.

  • Nepali army rescuers are drilling into tunnels at Trishuli 3A and 3B hydropower sites, believing over 100 workers are trapped.
  • The flash floods, caused by a glacier collapse near the Nepal-Tibet border, have resulted in at least 750 deaths and thousands missing.
  • International aid, totaling millions of dollars, has been pledged by numerous countries and organizations to support Nepal's recovery efforts.

KATHMANDU, Nepal – In a race against time, Nepali rescue teams, spearheaded by the army, have intensified efforts to reach over 100 hydropower workers believed to be alive and trapped within swamped tunnels following catastrophic flash floods and mudslides. Operations, initially hampered by relentless rain and rising river levels, have now resumed with renewed urgency, focusing on the critical Trishuli 3A and 3B sites in Nepal’s Rasuwa District.

The devastating floods, which swept through several districts last Wednesday, were triggered by the collapse of a glacier situated at an altitude of approximately 5,200 meters in the Himalayas. The colossal mass plunged 1,200 meters, accumulating an immense volume of rock and debris before violently impacting the Lende River. This event caused an unprecedented surge, raising the Trishuli River by an astonishing nine meters in just 30 minutes, engulfing everything in its path.

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Initial reports suggested an earthquake as the trigger, but the US Geological Survey later revised its findings, confirming the seismic signal originated from the massive landslide itself. The scale of the disaster is immense, with Nepal’s National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Authority reporting at least 750 fatalities and over 3,000 people missing, including a staggering 933 hydropower workers. On the Nepalese side alone, 734 bodies have been recovered, and 2,498 individuals remain unaccounted for.

Rescuers at Trishuli 3A successfully breached the upper section of a mud-swamped tunnel using drills and hydraulic cutters, subsequently pumping in air and deploying cameras to locate survivors. However, progress was temporarily stalled by adverse weather conditions. "As the floodwaters have receded, the team has resumed efforts to locate the tunnel entrance using drilling machines, excavators, hydraulic cutters and other equipment," a Nepal Army statement confirmed on Sunday.

The Nepali government has recognized the immense challenge and has appealed for specialist assistance from neighboring India and China to "fill gaps" in its rescue operations. Al Jazeera’s Minelle Fernandez, reporting from Kathmandu, highlighted the government's commitment: "The government is trying to give it its best shot, bringing in these experts to see if there is any way or means of bringing out anyone who is still alive."

Why This Matters

BozokMedia analysis shows that this disaster underscores Nepal's extreme vulnerability to climate change impacts, particularly glacier melt and erratic weather patterns. The destruction of critical infrastructure like hydropower projects not only leads to immediate human loss but also cripples the nation's energy supply and economic prospects for years. Furthermore, the extensive damage to homes and livelihoods in agricultural and remote regions will exacerbate poverty and displacement, requiring sustained national and international rehabilitation efforts.

The rapid escalation of this disaster from a glacier collapse to widespread flash floods highlights the urgent need for enhanced early warning systems and resilient infrastructure development in high-risk Himalayan regions.

Beyond Nepal's borders, the catastrophe has also impacted Tibet, where Chinese authorities have reported 16 deaths and 546 missing persons, including 261 foreigners from 23 countries. The widespread devastation has prompted a robust international response, with significant humanitarian aid pouring in from various nations and organizations.

The United Nations has released $2.5 million in emergency funding, while the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRC) allocated over $1 million and launched an emergency appeal for $31 million. The United States and Canada have each pledged $3.6 million, the United Kingdom offered $6.8 million, and the European Union committed $2.3 million. Aid has also arrived from Australia, India, and South Korea, demonstrating global solidarity.

Despite the influx of aid, the rugged terrain and lack of sufficient resources continue to impede relief operations. Nepal's finance minister has estimated the economic losses from the disaster to exceed $4 billion, a crippling blow to the developing nation. Warnings for potential flooding along rivers in northern Nepal remain in place, signaling an ongoing threat to communities already reeling from the disaster.

Did You Know?: The Himalayas, often called the "Third Pole," hold the largest ice mass outside the polar regions, but their glaciers are melting at an accelerated rate, significantly increasing the risk of glacial lake outburst floods (GLOFs) like the one that devastated Nepal.

Frequently Asked Questions

  1. What caused the flash floods in Nepal?
  2. How has the international community responded to Nepal's disaster?