KATHMANDU: Rescue efforts to save people trapped inside a tunnel at the Chilime Hydropower Project are continuing, but difficult terrain, adverse weather and completely disrupted road networks have made it challenging to transport the required manpower, supplies and equipment to the site.
Twenty-one personnel from the Nepali Army and Indian Army are currently working inside the tunnel manually to remove soil and heavy debris. Of the 250-metre-long tunnel, around 100 metres has so far been cleared.
However, as it has become difficult to continue the rescue operation through manual efforts alone, authorities have prioritised bringing a large excavator to the site.
Since an access road needs to be constructed from Syafru to the powerhouse portal to transport the excavator, road construction work began on Saturday.
Efforts are also underway to take the excavator through the tunnel itself. For this, rescuers are continuing to clear the soil accumulated along approximately 100 metres of the tunnel.
As large helicopters cannot land at the site, efforts are also underway to transport necessary supplies and equipment using smaller helicopters.
Officials said rescue efforts would continue despite the difficult geographical and technical challenges. Expansion of the access road, mobilisation of necessary equipment and removal of debris from inside the tunnel are being carried out on a priority basis.
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