Rescue teams are attempting to reach over 900 individuals believed to be trapped in tunnels and underground sections of several hydropower projects in Nepal. This follows devastating flash floods, according to the country’s disaster management authority on Monday.
The death toll in Nepal from the deluge of ice, rock, mud, and debris that occurred last Wednesday has now reached 903. An additional 16 deaths have been reported on the Tibet side of the border. More than 4,000 people are missing in Nepal, with another 500 missing in Tibet.
Nepali officials stated on Monday that the primary focus is on locating the 933 people missing from hydropower projects in the affected region. Nepal Army spokesperson Raja Ram Basnet noted that a significant amount of debris is hindering efforts to access the tunnels.
Rescue operations have faced suspensions since Friday due to adverse weather and concerns about a lake formed across the Nepal-China border, which began overflowing into Nepal’s rivers. However, rescue work was able to gain pace on Monday due to improved weather conditions.