Rescue Operations Begin in Langtang Tunnel; Company Says Timely Permission Could Have Enabled Faster Rescue

September 14, Kathmandu – Rescue operations for 25 individuals trapped inside the Langtang Hydropower Project tunnel following the Bhote Koshi flood began only after five days, according to government sources.

According to the Ministry of Home Affairs, their team conducted reconnaissance of the tunnel on Sunday evening. Promoter Vijayman Bhattarai said the government has assigned rescue operations solely to the Nepal Army, excluding the company from participating.

Experts have noted that the delay caused by the government not allowing the company to join rescue efforts is making the survival chances of those trapped increasingly slim. The promoters claim that the lack of permission for their involvement contributed to delays in the rescue work.

The Langtang Khola Hydropower Project, a private sector construction, still has 41 people unaccounted for. Bhattarai, who is also secretary of the Independent Power Producers Association Nepal (IPPAN), said 19 of the total 60 workers have been rescued so far. Those missing were working in the powerhouse, camp, and tunnel areas.

“Out of 60 missing persons, 19 have been rescued and 41 remain unaccounted for,” he stated. “They were scattered between the powerhouse, camp, and tunnel zones.”

A joint team of the Nepal Army and an Indian counterpart has been deployed, and search and rescue operations were conducted in the tunnel on Sunday. A team of approximately 12 to 15 personnel removed accumulated water, mud, and debris from inside the tunnel in their search.

However, rescue efforts paused after nightfall and are scheduled to restart at 7 a.m. Monday. “There is a lot of water and mud inside the tunnel. The army has cleared the area today, but the darkness ended the operation. The rescue will resume at 7 a.m. tomorrow,” Bhattarai said.

He expressed growing concern about the prospects of rescuing survivors alive. “Five days have passed; it is difficult to carry out a live rescue,” he said. “If we were permitted to work earlier, people could have been saved.”

Bhattarai asserted that if the promoters and technical staff had been involved early in the rescue, live rescues could have been possible.

According to him, the promoters possessed direct knowledge of the site’s geography and the required manpower but were barred from participating in rescue work by the government, citing security reasons.

“If we had been allowed to work, we could have saved the people inside the tunnel. We knew exactly how and from where to conduct the rescue,” he explained.

The government evacuated the 19 rescued persons by helicopter to other locations; however, the company maintains these individuals could have been deployed to aid in further rescue efforts.

The project management had kept these workers safe, but the company claims that after these individuals were airlifted, search and rescue operations for the remaining trapped workers have faced additional difficulties.

“Army Was Given Control, Developers Were Not Allowed to Engage”

Bhattarai explained that the government handed over rescue operations to the Nepal Army and prohibited developers from participating. “The army was assigned; developers were not even allowed on site,” he stated. “After that, no progress was made from our side.”

He added, “There are currently no company employees at the site. The project, which involved millions of rupees in investment, has been submerged due to floods and landslides, yet the rescue team is still not allowed to deploy.”

Bhattarai emphasized that for efficient rescue operations, the company should be provided with local knowledge, technical support, and security personnel.

“If we were given some army support and helicopter assistance and permission to work, we would have found a solution,” he said. “All the people were locals, we knew about 18-19 persons – we could have rescued them.”

Oxygen Conditions Inside Tunnel Are Alarming

Bhattarai highlighted that after the flood and landslide damaged the project’s infrastructure and power supply system, conditions worsened for those trapped inside the tunnel. The tunnel entrance (portal) is blocked by debris and landslide material, limiting oxygen supply.

“The portal is destroyed, so oxygen cannot enter,” he said.

Due to the power outage, the oxygen plant inside the tunnel is non-operational. He noted that only if parts of the tunnel open will fresh air flow in, increasing chances of survival.

“If some openings form, air flow might allow a chance for survival, but if completely sealed, survival is unlikely. The lack of oxygen for such a long time is extremely dangerous,” Bhattarai added. He estimated that the condition of those trapped for four days without food and water is very serious.

Bhattarai further stated that not just Langtang Khola but other flood-affected hydropower projects face similar rescue challenges. He recommended deploying personnel familiar with the local terrain, structures, and tunnels in coordination with security forces for immediate rescue efforts.