In a miraculous turn of events the rescue teams in Nepal pulled two men alive from a hydropower tunnel on Friday the nine days after a catastrophic glacier collapse devastated the Trishuli River valley. The massive landslide of ice, rock and mud on August 26 has claimed over 1,200 lives and displaced tens of thousands across the region.
The rescued workers, identified as mechanical foreman Sanjay Sah and mechanical supervisor Kabir Maharjan were trapped inside the Upper Trishuli 3A Hydropower Station. According to the Energy Ministry, Maharjan has temporarily lost mobility in his limbs, while Sah sustained non-critical injuries. Both survivors are currently being transported to a hospital in the capital, Kathmandu for urgent medical treatment.
Kabir’s brother, Amir Maharjan, expressed immense relief upon hearing the reports. "I have been hearing from the news that my brother has been found. The entire family is very happy" he said, as relatives rushed to the hospital to await official confirmation.
The August 26 glacier collapse triggered unprecedented devastation along the upper reaches of the Trishuli River. Authorities fear that at least 900 people remain trapped in various tunnels connected to six different hydropower projects along the river.
As search and rescue operations continue against overwhelming odds and treacherous terrain the Friday's successful rescue offers a much-needed glimmer of hope amidst one of Nepal's deadliest natural disasters. Rescue agencies remain on high alert as they work tirelessly to locate further survivors.
