After the massive glacier collapse and explosive flooding on the Nepal-China border in Tibet nine days ago, rescue workers successfully saved two trapped mechanical engineers and supervisors deep inside a tunnel connected to the Trishuli 3A Hydropower Station in Rasuwa County, Nepal, on Friday (September 4).
This deadly disaster has so far resulted in over 1,300 deaths and more than 5,600 people missing. International tunnel expert Arnold Dix, who participated in the rescue operation, marveled at the miraculous survival of the two individuals found after nine days, considering the extreme challenges faced during the rescue process.
Dix expressed that the initial challenge of the rescue was “finding the vanished entrance” – the landslide and mudslides completely altered the local topography, burying the tunnel entrance that was originally located on the hillside. Guided by Dix, the team utilized old topographic maps, post-disaster satellite data, helicopter images, and ground pole markers to triangulate and accurately pinpoint the buried entrance location.
The challenge intensified after discovering the entrance. The tunnel was filled with boulders and sediment larger than cars, and the interior was flooded with water. Rescue workers had to use explosives to clear the way, with military precision in controlling the amount to avoid triggering a secondary collapse or injuring those trapped. They also utilized excavators to dig channels and water pumps to remove the accumulated water.
Having overcome the water and massive rocks, the rescue team adhered to the original tunnel’s ceiling, manually digging a narrow passage only wide enough for one person to pass through, gradually advancing further inside.
In the early hours of Friday, the rescue team heard voices. They shouted through the debris, “Don’t worry, we’re here to save you.” A faint response came from the other side of the debris, “Okay.” Subsequently, the rescue team successfully rescued 30-year-old mechanical engineer Sanjay Sah and 45-year-old mechanical supervisor Kabir Maharjan.
The two were immediately airlifted to a military hospital in Kathmandu. Sah is in stable condition, while Maharjan remains in critical care.
Over 40 workers are still missing inside the hydropower station. The rescue team continues to advance towards the “Goldilocks zone,” the topmost level of the hydropower station where survivors are most likely to be found. Despite facing the dual risk of water accumulation inside the tunnel and the potential for external flooding, the successful rescue of the two survivors has injected hope and motivation for the ongoing search and rescue efforts.
(This article referenced reports from BBC and CNN)