World · Singapore Bureau
Hopes rise for Nepal hydropower workers trapped underground for week
Authorities express cautious optimism about the survival prospects of dozens of workers entombed in an underground chamber at Nepal's Rasuwagadhi hydropower plant following devastating flash floods. Officials say there remains a reasonable chance the workers may be found alive.
LSN Singapore ·
A week after flash floods forced dozens of workers into an underground chamber at Nepal's Rasuwagadhi hydropower plant, authorities have expressed guarded hope for their survival. An official from the Nepal Electricity Authority stated on Wednesday that there is a meaningful chance the trapped workers remain alive despite their prolonged confinement.
The workers became trapped following the sudden influx of water from the flash floods that swept through the area. The incident has focused attention on the hazards faced by workers at hydroelectric facilities in Nepal, which frequently operate in challenging geological and meteorological conditions.
Rescue operations have been ongoing since the initial incident, with teams working to establish contact with those trapped and assess conditions within the underground chamber. The exact number of workers confined remains a critical detail as rescue efforts continue.
The discovery offers a reprieve to families of the workers and rescue teams who have laboured through challenging conditions to locate survivors. Officials have not yet provided a timeline for when contact might be established or rescue operations could be completed.