India Sends Rescue Team to Nepal for Flood Victims
By ThePip Desk
India dispatches specialized rescue team, including tunnel experts, to Nepal to aid in locating workers trapped in hydropower tunnels after severe flash floods, following Nepal’s request for targeted assistance.
India has dispatched a specialized team, including medical personnel and tunnel-rescue specialists, to Nepal to assist in the search for workers trapped in hydropower project tunnels following severe flash floods. This deployment comes after Nepal requested India’s assistance amidst reports of numerous individuals potentially caught within these critical infrastructure sites.
Indian Team’s Initial Deployment and Coordination
The Indian team arrived in Nepal on Friday and proceeded to the Trishuli area in Nuwakot district by Saturday to conduct an on-site reconnaissance of hydropower tunnels. Randhir Jaiswal, spokesperson for the Ministry of External Affairs, confirmed the team’s immediate engagement in facilitating rescue efforts. The Indian Embassy in Kathmandu is actively coordinating with Nepalese authorities to locate and rescue affected Indian nationals.
Nepali security forces have already rescued 191 workers from various hydropower project tunnels, but many others remain unaccounted for. Nepal’s National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Authority (NDRRMA) stated that the Indian team performed an aerial survey of the Chilime and Langtang areas before commencing assessments around the tunnel sites.
Coordinated Rescue Operations Underway
A dedicated rescue team equipped with specialized tools is expected to arrive later, based on the Indian team’s recommendations. An 82-member joint team comprising personnel from the Nepal Army, Armed Police Force, and Nepal Police has been working since Friday night to clear debris and reach those trapped.
Rescue operations face significant challenges due to mud and debris obstructing tunnel entrances and adverse weather conditions. Many missing workers are believed to be trapped in tunnels connected to the Upper Trishuli-1 and Trishuli-3A hydropower projects in Rasuwa district, near the Nepal-Tibet border.
Regional Flood Impact and Key Figures
The recent flash floods have had a devastating impact across the region. Figures from AP indicate a substantial loss of life and a high number of missing persons across Nepal and Tibet.
- 676 people have died across Nepal and Tibet.
- Nearly 3,000 individuals remain missing across the region.
- Chinese authorities reported 7 deaths and over 550 missing individuals.
The ongoing efforts highlight the complexities of disaster response in challenging terrains, with international cooperation proving crucial for specialized rescue needs.