Rescuers deploy drones and rafts in Nepal tunnel survivor search

Rescue crews are intensifying efforts to find survivors trapped in a tunnel hit by catastrophic flooding that swept through Nepal, with teams deploying drones and rafts to navigate treacherous conditions in the affected area.

The tunnel, inundated by floodwaters originating from the Nepal-Tibet border region, has become the focus of a complex recovery operation involving multiple search and rescue teams. Operations have been hampered by challenging terrain and unpredictable water conditions that have limited conventional access to the site.

Rescue personnel are utilizing aerial reconnaissance through drone technology to map the tunnel's interior and identify potential pockets where survivors may have sought refuge. Raft teams are simultaneously working to navigate flooded sections of the tunnel, though operations remain dangerous given the force and volume of water that initially swept through the structure.

The scale of flooding in the region has complicated response efforts, with teams balancing urgent rescue operations against the risks posed by unstable conditions. Authorities have not yet released official figures on the number of people unaccounted for, though rescue coordinators continue to hold out hope of locating survivors.

The search operation represents one of the most challenging rescue efforts in the region in recent years, testing the capabilities of teams equipped with modern search technology and specialized training in water-based rescue operations.