The mortal remains of five individuals have been recovered from the Chilime Tunnel, following extensive and arduous rescue operations conducted by teams from India and Nepal. This effort took place in response to the catastrophic floods that struck the Bhotekoshi region on August 26. The progress of the teams was reported by India’s Ambassador to Nepal on September 16.

According to the Ambassador, after days of rigorous work to clear substantial amounts of slush and mud, rescuers successfully reached the power house area within the tunnel on the morning of September 16. Despite their efforts, they were unable to locate any survivors, leading to the sombre confirmation of the recovery of the five deceased individuals.

Details of the Rescue Operations

Sagar Dhakal, a Nepali Member of Parliament and hydromechanical engineer, has been closely involved in the ongoing rescue attempts for the past 18 days. Speaking earlier, Dhakal mentioned that the teams had been working tirelessly, often through the night, aiming for additional advancements in their operations. He expressed cautious optimism about their progress on September 15, pending the absence of further significant obstacles.

Dhakal offered insights into the specifics of the rescue efforts, indicating that mechanised assistance had enabled the teams to cover approximately 100 metres, while the collective efforts of personnel contributed an additional 150 metres. He noted that the overall length of the tunnel is around 220 metres, leaving over 50 metres yet to be traversed.

Additionally, the characteristics of the Chilime Tunnel pose specific challenges. Dhakal contrasted this site with another tunnel where he had previously worked, highlighting that the Chilime Tunnel features a negative slope of approximately 6.5 per cent for the first 100 metres. This topography hinders the effective drainage of water and debris, complicating the rescue operations further.

Formation of Expert Committee

In the wake of the Bhotekoshi floods, the Government of Nepal has established a seven-member expert committee tasked with investigating the origins, causes, and chronological events surrounding the disaster. The committee was announced by Nepal’s Ministry of Energy, Water Resources, and Irrigation on September 16, with a deadline of two months set for submitting its findings.

This committee will be coordinated by Devesh Belbase, a recognised expert in water policy and governance. The establishment of this committee underscores the Nepali government’s commitment to identifying the factors that led to the floods and addressing the issues uncovered in the course of their inquiry.

The collaborative efforts between Indian and Nepali rescue teams mark a significant expression of solidarity and cooperation in addressing the aftermath of this disaster. While the loss of life is deeply regrettable, the concerted actions of these teams demonstrate a commitment to thorough rescue operations and future preventative measures.

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