### Nepal's Rescue Efforts Intensify as Hundreds Trapped in Flood-Caused Hydropower Tunnels

In the aftermath of the catastrophic floods that ravaged the Himalayan region, Nepal's rescue teams are working tirelessly to locate and save hundreds of workers believed to be trapped in hydropower tunnels. Supported by experts from China and India, these efforts are focused on the two districts of Rasuwa and Nuwakot, which have been hardest hit by the disaster.

The floods, which began last week, were caused by a massive deluge of ice, rock, mud, and debris along the Nepal-Tibet border. Blamed on a glacier collapse, the disaster has killed over 900 people and left nearly 5,000 missing. Many of the bodies, many of them unidentified, have been buried in shallow graves as they were swept down the mountains by the torrential waters and decomposed in the humid conditions.

The focus of the rescue operation is on reaching the 933 workers believed to be trapped in 11 hydropower projects, including many in tunnels. The situation is made even more challenging by the darkness of the tunnels and the debris that has accumulated inside.

Rescue teams have been using earth-moving equipment, torchlights, and controlled blasts to clear the water and mud. Soldiers have created large pits to look for spaces to enter the tunnels. Despite these efforts, only three bodies have been recovered so far, and many sections of the tunnels remain buried under mud.

The Nepal army spokesperson, Raja Ram Basnet, told Reuters that the large amount of debris deposited inside the tunnels is posing a significant challenge. "Our main focus is on opening the tunnels," he said.

The disaster has been described as an "unprecedented and devastating natural disaster" by Prime Minister Balendra Shah. He added that compiling a complete assessment of the damage remains challenging despite the adverse weather, difficult terrain, and continuing risks. "Despite the adverse weather, difficult terrain and continuing risks, we are moving forward with determination to save the lives of our citizens," he said in a Facebook post.

The Red Cross has estimated that more than 90,000 people are likely to have been affected by the disaster. China has linked the disaster to the effects of climate change and has offered assistance, including the mobilization of over 2,100 rescue workers and the allocation of at least 220 million yuan ($33 million) to support relief efforts.

China's state-run CCTV reported that Beijing has airdropped equipment and supplies to frontline rescuers and used life-detection equipment to look for the missing. More than 261 foreign nationals from 23 countries remain unaccounted for in Tibet, near a key border crossing with Nepal.

Nepal, which has said it does not generally need foreign help in rescue and search operations, has leaned on India and China for their expertise in tunnel rescue. Rescue operations have been suspended several times since Friday due to bad weather and concerns that a lake formed across the Nepal-China border could trigger fresh flooding.

Authorities are now monitoring an impact crater carved out near the site of the glacier collapse on the Nepalese side, which by Saturday evening had expanded to 174,000 square meters. The crater has an estimated reservoir of 2.5 billion cubic meters of water, state media reported.