Trapped in Nepal’s Chilime Tunnel: Rescue Teams Race Against Mud, Rock and Time
Six people are believed trapped inside the Chilime Hydropower Project tunnel in Rasuwa as rescue crews battle mud, debris and unstable terrain in a high-stakes operation.
Rescue teams in Nepal are racing to reach six people believed to be trapped inside the tunnel of the 22 MW Chilime Hydropower Project in Rasuwa district. The operation has become a tense battle against thick mud, debris and damaged access routes, with specialized crews working against the clock to open a path into the flooded tunnel.
Rastriya Swatantra Party lawmaker and engineer Shriram Neupane said rescue efforts are already underway and that he is heading to the site to help with technical guidance. Neupane, who recently assisted in a rescue effort at Trishuli 3A, is expected to bring hands-on expertise to an increasingly difficult operation.
A rescue operation shaped by extreme conditions
Reports from the site describe a tunnel packed with sludge and unstable material, making direct entry nearly impossible. Emergency teams have reportedly been forced to work carefully through mud-choked sections, using specialized equipment and technical methods to try to clear a route without triggering further collapse.
The situation has drawn broad attention because of the scale of the flooding and the difficulty of tunnel rescue work in mountainous terrain. Access challenges, water damage and blocked passages have turned the search into one of the most complex emergency responses in the region.
Why Neupane’s role matters
Neupane’s involvement adds an important engineering dimension to the mission. As a lawmaker with technical experience, he is being brought in not just as a public figure, but as someone who can help assess structural risks and suggest practical rescue strategies on the ground.
His recent work at Trishuli 3A has also made him a familiar name in Nepal’s hydropower rescue efforts, where specialized knowledge can be just as critical as manpower. In tunnel emergencies, every decision about digging, ventilation and debris removal can affect whether rescuers get closer to survivors or face additional hazards.
Hydropower infrastructure under pressure
The Chilime incident highlights the vulnerability of hydropower sites during severe flooding and landslide events. These projects are often built in rugged, remote locations where weather, terrain and underground construction create high-risk conditions when disaster strikes.
For Nepal, a country heavily dependent on hydropower, the event is another reminder that infrastructure resilience and emergency preparedness are as important as energy production itself. The current rescue effort is likely to remain closely watched as crews continue trying to reach those inside.
What happens next
For now, the focus remains on finding a safe route into the tunnel and stabilizing the environment enough for rescuers to advance. The next phase of the operation will likely depend on technical clearing, structural assessment and careful coordination among rescue teams, engineers and local authorities.
As the situation develops, the priority is clear: reach the trapped workers as quickly and safely as possible while minimizing further risk to both victims and rescuers.