More Than 133 Hydropower Workers Missing in Rasuwa Flood as Power Projects Face Major Impact

More than 133 employees and workers involved in hydropower projects have gone missing following severe flooding in Rasuwa, according to the latest information from the Nepal Electricity Authority (NEA).

The missing workers include both Nepali and foreign nationals working at various hydropower plants, construction sites, transmission structures and other project facilities across the flood-affected areas.

Multiple Hydropower Projects Affected

According to the Nepal Electricity Authority, 21 employees working at the construction site of the Trishuli 3B Hydropower Project are currently out of contact.

At the Chilime Hydropower Project, six people working in the power plant area and one person near the residential area are missing.

Similarly, 11 workers associated with Chesko Company and involved in work related to the Chilime and Trishuli 3B projects are also out of contact.

The Rasuwagadhi Hydropower Project has also been severely affected. While 51 people working at the project are reportedly in contact, others remain missing. In addition, 29 people working for various contractors involved in maintenance and construction activities at Rasuwagadhi have been reported missing.

Workers at Trishuli 3A Also Missing

The flooding has also affected the Trishuli 3A Hydropower Project.

According to the NEA, 45 employees and workers involved in maintenance activities at the project's powerhouse are missing.

One employee each working at the authority's Trishuli Hydropower Center and Devighat Hydropower Center is also out of contact.

At the Chilime Power House switchyard, one worker from the Rasuwa Distribution Center is missing. A meter reader working under the same distribution center has also been reported out of contact.

Meanwhile, 16 people working for contractors at the Trishuli 220 kV 3B hub are missing following the flooding.

Search and Rescue Operations Underway

Following the disappearance of employees and workers, a team led by Nepal Electricity Authority Acting Executive Director Dirghayu Shrestha visited the affected areas to assess the situation.

The NEA has mobilized its teams to support search and rescue operations and establish contact with those who remain unaccounted for.

Another team has also been deployed locally to help evacuate employees and members of the public who are at risk and move them to safer locations.

Coordination With Local Authorities

Acting Executive Director Shrestha said efforts are continuing to establish contact with missing employees in transmission and power-generation infrastructure areas.

The authority is coordinating with local administration, security agencies, local governments, health institutions and other concerned stakeholders to collect updated information about missing workers and people present at the affected project sites.

Search and rescue operations are continuing as authorities work to locate those who remain out of contact.

Flooding Raises Concerns for Nepal's Hydropower Infrastructure

The incident has highlighted the vulnerability of hydropower projects and related infrastructure to extreme flooding and other natural disasters.

Rasuwa is home to several important hydropower projects and transmission facilities, making the impact of the flooding significant not only for workers and local communities but also for Nepal's electricity infrastructure.

Authorities are continuing to assess the condition of power-generation facilities, transmission structures and other infrastructure while prioritizing the safety and rescue of missing and stranded workers.

Key Points

• More than 133 hydropower employees and workers are reported missing or out of contact.
• Several projects in Rasuwa have been affected by severe flooding.
• Workers from Trishuli 3B, Chilime, Rasuwagadhi and Trishuli 3A projects are among those reported missing.
• NEA teams have been deployed for search and rescue operations.
• Authorities are coordinating with security agencies, local governments and health institutions.
• Assessment of affected power and transmission infrastructure is ongoing.

The Nepal Electricity Authority has urged continued coordination among concerned agencies as search and rescue efforts remain underway. The immediate priority is to locate missing workers, rescue those stranded in high-risk areas and ensure the safety of people affected by the flooding.