World · India Bureau
Nepal hydropower worker recalls harrowing two-hour tunnel escape
Thirty-five workers at a major Nepalese hydroelectric project endured a terrifying ordeal when sudden flooding plunged a tunnel into darkness. The group navigated through rising water for two hours before reaching safety.
LSN India ·
A worker at a hydropower facility in Nepal has recounted the ordeal of escaping a flooded tunnel after an unexpected surge of water cut off the primary exit route. Vishnu Thapa and 34 colleagues found themselves trapped in darkness as water levels rose rapidly within the underground passage, forcing them to carefully feel their way through the murky conditions toward daylight.
The two-hour journey through the submerged tunnel tested the group's resolve as they struggled against the current and reduced visibility. Workers maintained contact with one another while navigating the hazardous conditions, relying on limited lighting and verbal communication to guide their movements toward the tunnel entrance.
The incident underscores the risks faced by workers at Nepal's hydroelectric projects, which operate in challenging geological and weather conditions. The country has been rapidly expanding its hydropower capacity to meet growing energy demands, with numerous projects under development across mountainous terrain prone to sudden weather changes and water surges.
Details of what triggered the sudden water inflow remain unclear, though such events can occur due to heavy rainfall, glacial melt, or dam-related activities upstream. Authorities have not yet released a full investigation report into the incident or confirmed whether any workers sustained injuries during the escape.