Full Breakdown
Rescue of Two Hydropower Workers Highlights Ongoing Nepal Flood Crisis
9/5/2026, 3:49:08 AM
The Rescue Operation
On Friday, nine days after the flash flood that struck on August 26, Nepal’s army pulled two workers—Sanjay Sah, 30, mechanical foreman, and Kabir Maharjan, 45, mechanical supervisor—from the buried entrance of the Upper Trishuli 3A hydropower tunnel in Rasuwa district. Rescuers heard voices, drilled an emergency trench, supplied oxygen and, after about 50 m of digging, heard a faint “OK” before hoisting the men to the surface. Both were flown to an army hospital in Kathmandu; Sah’s injuries were non-critical, while Maharjan was unable to move his limbs.
Background & Context
A glacier collapse on August 26 sent water, rock and mud down the Trishuli valley, demolishing villages, roads and bridges and disabling roughly 10 % of Nepal’s hydropower capacity. Tunnel networks were buried under an estimated 2.2 million tonnes of debris. The disaster killed more than 1,200 people and left thousands missing, prompting an international rescue effort that includes specialists from India, China, South Korea and Australia.
Data & Statistics
- Confirmed deaths: 1,294 (as of Sept 4).
- Missing persons: 5,053 in Nepal (including 583 foreign nationals).
- Hydropower workers: 557 reported missing at Trishuli 3A, with about 115 believed trapped.
- Rescues: Two workers rescued, one additional body recovered, and over 270 people rescued from various hydropower sites.
Official Statements & Responses
- “We are waiting for the rescue of more and more people,” — Bikram Timilsina, communication minister
- “It has been confirmed that more than one person's voice has been heard from inside,” — Shri Ram Neupane, engineer
- Allison Gocotano, WHO representative, noted damage to at least seven hospitals and ongoing electricity problems.
- Amir Maharjan, brother of a rescued worker, said, “I can’t explain what we are feeling at the moment. We are just grateful to God.”
Health & Humanitarian Impact
The flood damaged at least seven hospitals, leaving many injured without timely care. As Shushma Bhusal of the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies explained, a bridge that once took 10 minutes to cross now requires about 10 hours on foot, isolating communities from medical services. Patients with chronic diseases have lost access to medication, raising fears of worsening conditions and potential epidemics.
Conflicting Reports & Gaps
- Death tolls vary between 1,287, 1,294, and 1,300.
- Missing counts differ: 5,053 (official Nepali figure) versus 5,080 reported elsewhere.
- Worker-missing estimates range from 557 to 900, with no consensus on how many remain trapped.
What’s Next
Rescue teams continue to rely on the WhatsApp engineering group for tunnel schematics and drilling coordination. An Australian Disaster Assistance Response Team is on the ground, and specialists from India, China and South Korea remain active. Authorities plan to expand oxygen supply lines, deploy more excavators and maintain surveillance in temporary shelters to mitigate disease risk while the search for survivors proceeds.
