Indian and Nepalese teams intensify rescue of six workers trapped at Chilime hydro plant

After an avalanche-triggered flash flood on August 26 blocked a tunnel at Nepal’s Chilime 22 MW hydro-power project, six workers became trapped behind a massive boulder. A joint effort involving twenty tunnel experts from the Indian Army and the National Disaster Response Force, plus thirty-seven Nepalese Army members, has cleared roughly 100 metres of muck and stone to create a motorable path for excavators. The Indian contingent, supported by the Border Roads Organisation, is focused on this site while other foreign teams work elsewhere.

A Kawasaki ZV60 excavator, essential for breaking the boulder, suffered a snag, prompting plans to airlift replacement parts. Rescue officials believe the men may still have drinking water and some room to move, and they expect a possible breakthrough in the next 12-24 hours.