KATHMANDU: The rescue of people believed to be trapped inside tunnels following the devastating Bhotekoshi River floods has become increasingly complex, with multiple potential rescue operations unfolding simultaneously at different locations.
Professor Arnold Dix, a 62-year-old Australian tunnel expert and geologist leading the rescue efforts, said Nepal is facing an extraordinary situation involving several potential rescues, each presenting its own risks, uncertainties and challenges.
Dix, who gained international recognition after helping rescue 41 workers trapped inside the Silkyara tunnel in Uttarakhand, India, in 2023, described the situation in Nepal as one of the greatest tests of his life. Reflecting on the Silkyara operation in a social media post on Monday, he said the successful rescue of the 41 workers had demonstrated that seemingly impossible tasks could be accomplished through collective effort.
He said overcoming one major challenge does not necessarily mean the tests are over, suggesting that it may instead lead to greater responsibilities.
Drawing a parallel between the Western concept of duty and the Eastern philosophy of dharma, Dix said the priority in a rescue operation is to continue doing what is right, even when the chances of success are uncertain.
He said the Silkyara rescue had taught him not to mistake something that appears unlikely for something impossible, while the situation in Nepal was teaching him a further lesson: when multiple lives may depend on rescue teams at the same time, hope must be transformed into disciplined action and compassion into practical assistance.
According to Dix, the true test is not simply whether rescuers succeed, but whether they continue their efforts when circumstances become more difficult, responsibilities increase and the outcome remains uncertain.
His message has also evoked memories among people who experienced rescue operations during the 6.9-magnitude earthquake that struck eastern Nepal in 2045 BS. Some said his reflections had revived memories of past disasters while offering renewed hope amid the ongoing crisis.
The Nepali Army, Armed Police Force and specialist rescue teams remain deployed in the Bhotekoshi-affected areas, continuing efforts to locate and safely rescue people believed to be trapped inside tunnels.
Dix emphasized that the measure of a rescue effort extends beyond the number of lives ultimately saved, stressing the responsibility to continue searching for and assisting those who may still be alive.
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