An 11-member [1] specialized Indian tunnel search and rescue team joined the Nepali Army on Saturday to locate workers trapped in flood-damaged tunnels.
The joint operation follows devastating flash floods that struck Nepal's hydropower sites. The mission is critical because the specialized nature of tunnel collapses requires technical expertise to reach trapped personnel safely without causing further cave-ins.
The rescue efforts are concentrated in the Nuwakot district, specifically within the Trishuli area [1, 2]. Teams are also operating in the Chilime and Langtang areas to conduct reconnaissance and search operations [2, 3]. These sites are home to critical hydropower infrastructure that suffered significant damage during the floods [2].
The Indian team consists of 11 members [1] who provide technical support for high-altitude and underground rescue. They are working alongside the Nepali Army to navigate the unstable conditions inside the tunnels [1, 2].
Flash floods in the region have caused widespread devastation, leaving multiple workers missing within the tunnel systems [1, 2]. The joint force is focusing on critical hydropower tunnel sites where the risk of entrapment is highest [2].
Official reports said that the team is conducting reconnaissance to determine the safest points of entry into the damaged structures [3]. The coordination between the two nations aims to maximize the chances of survival for those still missing underground.
“An 11-member specialized Indian tunnel search and rescue team joined the Nepali Army.”
This deployment highlights the interdependence of South Asian neighbors regarding disaster response and specialized technical capabilities. Because hydropower projects in Nepal often involve international investment and engineering, the use of specialized Indian rescue teams underscores the regional approach to managing infrastructure failures caused by extreme weather events.
