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India deploys specialist rescue team to aid Nepal hydropower tunnel operation

A specialised Indian rescue team has been deployed to Nepal to evaluate hydropower tunnels and assist in efforts to locate and rescue workers who are stranded in the underground structures.

LSN India · 29 August 2026

India has mobilised a dedicated rescue operation in Nepal as part of bilateral disaster response efforts, sending experienced personnel to assess conditions within hydropower tunnels where workers remain trapped. The specialist team, comprising trained rescue operatives, is conducting comprehensive inspections of the tunnel systems to determine the feasibility and strategy for extracting the stranded individuals safely.

The deployment underscores India's commitment to providing technical expertise and resources for rescue operations in the neighbouring country. Hydropower projects in Nepal's challenging terrain have historically presented complex rescue scenarios, requiring specialised equipment and trained personnel familiar with underground extraction procedures.

Indian rescue teams have established coordination with Nepali authorities to streamline the operation and ensure efficient communication throughout the assessment and rescue phases. The team's evaluation will focus on tunnel structural integrity, accessibility routes, and optimal extraction methods given the underground environment.

Details regarding the exact location of the hydropower facility and the number of stranded workers remain unclear. The Indian team's presence is expected to enhance the technical capacity of ongoing rescue efforts while both nations work to resolve the situation.