KATHMANDU: Those stranded at hydropower projects and houses in the Bhotekoshi flood-hit districts may never have imagined that they would get a new lease of life after being engulfed by the devastating floods of August 26.

But thanks to the joint and relentless search and rescue efforts of the security forces, coordinated by the Nepali Army (NA) and assistance from rescue teams from foreign countries, around a dozen people stranded at hydropower projects and wreckage of houses have been brought to safety.

At a time of grief, when people are offering unsolicited suggestions, making negative comments and spreading narratives of government inaction over search and rescue operations, relief distribution and rehabilitation, the NA has continued coordinating closely with the Nepal Police and the Armed Police Force to reach out to those still stranded and waiting for urgent attention.

The security forces have successfully rescued four people alive from the hydropower tunnels in the past two days. On Friday, the NA rescued two hydropower technicians from Trishuli 3A Hydropower Project.

Today (Saturday), they rescued a Chinese national from a hydropower tunnel and a Nepali woman from a wreckage of house at Bidur, Nuwakot.

The feat of the security forces has earned widespread praise on social media, both at home and abroad, for those trapped for over 10 days in the darkness of tunnels are rescued to light- rebirths indeed.

More importantly, the successful rescues have offered a glimmer of hope to other families of those still missing since the devastation.

Lieutenant Colonel Ganga Baral, who is leading the NA’s rescue operation following the Bhotekoshi flood, shared that the rescue team succeeded in bringing two technicians trapped inside a tunnel of the Upper Trishuli 3A Hydropower Project out alive. It took 11 hours of relentless effort for the achievement.

Technician Sanjay Sah was rescued at around 9:35 am on Friday, followed by Kabir Jung Maharjan at around 10:05 am.

A joint squad comprising the NA’s Special Forces, disaster management search and rescue personnel, technical engineers, Nepal Electricity Authority staffs, hydropower experts and geological engineers worked tirelessly to bring those trapped in the tunnel to safety.

In another remarkable rescue, an NA team rescued a Chinese national alive on Friday afternoon, while an Armed Police Force-led team rescued Chandrika Shrestha at Bidur, Nuwakot.

The successful operations have reinforced hope that more people still missing could be found alive and reunited with their families. The flood, triggered by a landslide in Lhende Khola, entered the Bhotekoshi River on August 26, sweeping away homes, offices, hydropower facilities, roads, bridges and farmland.

The catastrophic disaster left a trail of destructions, claiming scores of lives and causing massive property damage. Rasuwa and Nuwakot were among the hardest-hit districts, suffering heavy losses of life and property, while roads and bridges were damaged or washed away in Dhading and Chitwan as well. The disaster has severely disrupted daily life across the affected areas.

With many people working at hydropower projects and other sites still out of contact, rescue teams led by the NA have continued their search and rescue operations around the clock.

Lieutenant Colonel Baral mentioned the rescue teams had been working day and night, following instructions from Army Headquarters and taking advice from hydropower project officials and experts while keeping security personnel motivated to accomplish the mission. According to him, the operation to rescue those trapped inside the hydropower project began at around 6 pm on Thursday after the team had dinner and continued for nearly 11 hours before the two technicians were pulled alive.

“With determination and a sincere commitment to our work, we Nepalis can accomplish even the most difficult task in the harshest circumstances,” Baral gushed. “We have proved that once again, standing together during this unimaginable disaster in Rasuwa.”

Likewise, NA spokesperson Rajaram Basnet informed that the search and rescue operations were being ramped up under the direction of the government, with the Army working in tandem with the Armed Police Force and the Nepal Police.

“In this tragic hour of unprecedented disaster, our special rescue teams have been working around the clock, almost on a war footing,” he said swelling in pride for having able to discharge the duty towards nation and its people. “Their dedication has not only strengthened the country’s rescue response but also enhanced the dignity and reputation of Nepal and Nepalis,” Basnet observed, lauding the efforts of the security forces.

He further said it is our collective responsibility to encourage and stand by these security personnel who are working tirelessly in the affected areas.