The August 26 disaster sent a huge wall of water, mud and rocks through the valley after a glacial and mountain collapse near the Nepal-China (Tibet) border. Official records put the death toll at least 1,287, while thousands remain missing.
Nepal’s Independent Power Producers’ Association said at least eight people could be trapped at Chilime, while a Nepal Electricity Authority official estimated that as many as 46 workers could be trapped at Rasuwagadhi further south. We have not lost hope.
“We are trying to reach there inside again to look for people,” Nepal Electricity Authority board member Amshu Kiran Shahi said. Energy Minister Biraj Bhakta Shrestha said in a statement. The Nepali Army called the operation a “miraculous victory of hope”. Amir Maharjan, the brother of rescued worker Kabir Maharjan, said he was overwhelmed by the news. A mechanical foreman said he remained in a control room after hearing about the disaster and told his colleagues to flee. When there was such a big accident, it was not right for me to run away,” he said, according to Reuters.
The group is also being used to trace missing workers. Members share names and mobile numbers with officials, who can then pass the information to telecom authorities. Last recorded mobile phone locations could help establish where workers were when the disaster struck. “As long as there is breath, there is hope! “Rescue operations are continuing in all the affected tunnels. Let everyone’s efforts and prayers continue. The rescue of Sah and Maharjan brought a rare moment of relief amid the devastation. The rescue efforts have also highlighted the courage of workers who stayed behind to help others escape. “I was in the control room, so my responsibility was to save everyone’s lives.
