In a remarkable breakthrough amid one of Nepal’s deadliest recent disasters, two workers have been rescued alive from a tunnel at the Trishuli 3A Hydropower Project, nine days after devastating floods and landslides struck the region.
The rescue operation at the hydropower facility in Nepal’s Rasuwa district has renewed hopes that other workers trapped underground could also be brought to safety. Rescue teams reportedly heard voices coming from inside the tunnel before reaching the survivors.
The two rescued workers have been identified as Sanjay Sah, a mechanical foreman, and Kabir Maharjan, a mechanical supervisor. Both were reportedly working at the Upper Trishuli 3A Hydropower Station when the disaster struck on August 26.
According to reports, the workers were provided oxygen support after being brought out of the tunnel. They were subsequently taken for medical treatment in Kathmandu.
Faint Voices Sparked Hope Among Rescuers
The rescue operation gained momentum after rescuers detected signs that people could still be alive inside the tunnel.
According to Nepalese officials, rescuers called into the tunnel to reassure those trapped inside. A response was reportedly heard, giving the teams crucial confirmation that survivors might still be underground.
The discovery prompted the Nepalese Army and other emergency personnel to intensify their efforts. Heavy debris, mud and damaged infrastructure had made access to the tunnel extremely difficult.
Images released from the rescue site showed one of the workers being carried out by rescuers, covered in mud, while emergency personnel provided immediate assistance.
The successful rescue has become a powerful moment of hope following days of uncertainty for families waiting for news of missing workers.
Nepal Flood Disaster Left Thousands Missing
The August 26 disaster caused catastrophic destruction across parts of Nepal after a powerful surge of water, mud, rocks and debris swept through valleys along the Trishuli River and surrounding areas.
Several hydropower projects were severely affected, with workers becoming trapped inside tunnels and construction areas.
According to local reports, hundreds of workers remain unaccounted for across hydropower projects in the affected region. The Independent Power Producers Association of Nepal has reported that hundreds were missing from the Trishuli 3A project alone, with a significant number believed to have been inside tunnels.
The wider disaster has also resulted in a huge humanitarian crisis. Nepalese authorities have reported more than 1,200 deaths, while thousands remain missing. The devastation has affected homes, roads, bridges, schools and critical infrastructure.
Rescue Teams Continue Search for More Survivors
Despite the scale of the destruction, rescue personnel have continued working under extremely challenging conditions.
The tunnel entrances were blocked by mud, rocks and debris, while much of the equipment needed for the rescue effort was itself damaged or swept away by the floods. Soldiers and emergency teams have therefore had to work with whatever machinery and resources remain available.
The successful recovery of the two workers has strengthened expectations that additional survivors may still be found.
Officials have indicated that more people could remain trapped inside the tunnel. Rescue teams are therefore continuing their search while carefully clearing blocked sections and assessing the condition of the underground structures.
The rescue effort is being supported by technical experts and coordinated teams using communications technology alongside helicopters, heavy machinery and ground personnel.
Families Reunited With New Hope
For the families of the rescued workers, the development brought immense relief after days of fear and uncertainty.
Also Read — PM Modi Lauds ISRO GSLV-F17 Launch: “Proud Moment For Our Nation”
The family of Kabir Maharjan expressed gratitude after learning that he had survived the disaster. His wife described his rescue as receiving a new life, reflecting the emotional significance of the breakthrough.
The two men’s survival after spending nine days in the damaged hydropower tunnel has offered a rare moment of hope during a disaster that has claimed a devastating number of lives.
Search Operation Remains Underway
Authorities have not ended the search for other missing workers. Rescue teams remain focused on the Trishuli 3A tunnel and other affected hydropower facilities where people may still be trapped.
The rescue of Sanjay Sah and Kabir Maharjan demonstrates the importance of continuing search operations even days after a major disaster. Their survival has raised hopes among rescuers and families that others could also be found alive.
As emergency teams continue removing debris and searching the tunnels, Nepal remains focused on saving survivors, recovering missing people and supporting communities devastated by the catastrophic floods.
The dramatic rescue of two workers after nine days underground has emerged as a powerful symbol of hope amid Nepal’s continuing disaster and recovery efforts.
Click here to join our WhatsApp Channel for real-time news updates and exclusive coverage.
