World · Singapore Bureau
Nepal tunnel survivor describes harrowing escape from hydropower project
A worker at Nepal's Upper Trishuli 1 hydropower project survived a catastrophic flood in an underground tunnel near the Chinese border. The incident highlights safety concerns at major infrastructure projects in the Himalayan region.
LSN Singapore ·
Dhan Bahadur Tamang was working deep underground at the Upper Trishuli 1 hydropower project when conditions suddenly changed. A sharp drop in air pressure alerted him to danger in the tunnel system near Nepal's border with China, prompting him to act swiftly to escape the underground facility.
The incident at the project in Tarkeshwar district resulted in widespread flooding that forced workers to navigate treacherous conditions in complete darkness. Survivors described their ordeal as a desperate push through murky water and debris as they made their way toward the tunnel entrance.
Tamang's account of the disaster underscores the hazardous working conditions faced by labourers on major hydropower projects across the Himalayan region. The Upper Trishuli 1 project, a significant infrastructure development for Nepal, has faced scrutiny over worker safety protocols and emergency preparedness measures.
The flooding at the facility raises questions about geological risks and tunnel stability in the area. Officials have launched investigations into the cause of the incident and the adequacy of safety systems designed to protect workers in underground hydropower installations.