Speculation had previously mounted that missing employees took shelter inside the tunnels following devastating floods on August 26. In response, the government dispatched a specialized unit comprising technicians from the Nepal Army, Armed Police Force, and Nepal Electricity Authority. Utilizing heavy machinery and excavators, the team systematically searched various tunnel sections over three days before concluding that no personnel were inside, officially bringing the tunnel rescue phase to a close.
The outcome has significantly escalated concerns for the missing personnel, who remain out of contact. Project officials now suspect the individuals may have been swept away by flash floods originating from the Bhotekoshi River in Tibet. The sudden surge caused catastrophic structural damage to the project's dam site, powerhouse, and physical infrastructure, while triggering mudslides that severed local road connectivity and telecommunication lines.
While local authorities have expanded surveillance and search operations to downstream areas along the river corridor, the region's geographical remoteness, persistent landslides, and damaged access routes continue to hamper recovery efforts, leaving affected families in deep distress.
