Fresh Flood Surge Threatens Nepal’s Trishuli-3A Hydropower Project

Rescue efforts are continuing at Nepal’s Upper Trishuli-3A hydropower project, where people have been stranded by flooding.

The government continued rescue operations throughout the night. But a fresh surge of floodwater at around 4am local time on Sunday caused the Trishuli River to rise by an estimated 5 to 10 metres, officials said.

The rapidly rising river is now eroding the banks around the project site, increasing the risk to the area.

Authorities are assessing the extent of the damage and preparing to deploy bulldozers and other heavy equipment to clear mud and debris once conditions are considered safe.

Floods and landslides have also buried the tunnel portal and parts of the project infrastructure.

Prime Minister’s Office stated that the government is preparing to deploy a specialist force by helicopter to recover critical equipment, including 19 CCTV cameras, HDR units and set-top boxes used to monitor and control the powerhouse.With road access cut off, the team is expected to be flown close to the buried building and lowered by helicopter to retrieve the equipment.