KATHMANDU: Thirty-five employees of the Nepal Electricity Authority (NEA) are trapped inside the underground powerhouse and tunnel of the Trishuli-3A Hydropower Project after a devastating flood in the Bhotekoshi River system.
The employees had been deployed to the project for turbine overhauling and maintenance work. They became trapped inside the underground facility after the flood caused severe damage and debris to accumulate around the powerhouse, according to NEA sources.
The authority had mobilized a team of engineers, experts and technical personnel from across the country for the turbine overhaul.
An NEA engineer said the underground powerhouse has two levels, but it remains unclear exactly where the trapped employees are located inside the facility.
“ We do not know exactly where they are inside. Let us hope they are rescued safely,” the engineer said.
NEA engineer Asha Khanal described the situation as extremely critical, saying 35 colleagues remain trapped inside the Trishuli-3A powerhouse and tunnel.
“The 35 colleagues trapped inside the powerhouse and tunnel are at a critical point between life and death. With oxygen levels potentially falling and the risks increasing, every second is crucial,” Khanal said.
She urged the government and concerned authorities to immediately deploy a specialist rescue team capable of entering the underground tunnel, warning that any further delay could result in loss of life.
“If there is further delay, there could be casualties. A specialist team capable of entering the tunnel must be sent immediately,” she said.
