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A team is being prepared to travel to the Upper Trishuli-3B Hydropower Project site in Sirupani, Kispang Rural Municipality-5 of Nuwakot on Saturday morning to search for and rescue people who have gone missing following the recent floods.

According to Trishuli Jal Vidhyut Company Limited, a team comprising company officials and personnel from the Nepal Army reached the project site by helicopter on September 29, 2026 (Bhadra 13, 2083 BS), conducted an aerial and ground assessment, and returned. The company said the team was able to reach the site after continuous efforts by the company and concerned authorities.

Earlier, when company personnel reached the site by helicopter on Bhadra 11, they found that the project office and construction area had been completely buried under debris and transformed into a riverbed. The company stated that excavation equipment would be required to carry out further search and recovery operations.

According to the company, 91 people who had initially lost contact due to the flood have now been accounted for. These include three company employees, one employee from consultant Chilime Engineering and Services Company Limited (CHESCO), two personnel from HNAC-JIANGHE, and 85 construction workers. Those requiring rescue have been evacuated and kept safe.

However, a total of 201 people remain unaccounted for, including:

- 28 company employees and their family members,

- 151 personnel from civil contractor Fewa Construction Pvt. Ltd.,

- 6 personnel from electro-mechanical and hydro-mechanical contractor HNAC JIANGHE-JV, China,

- 12 personnel from consultant CHESCO,

- 1 security guard, and

- 3 students who had gone to the site for internships.

The company said it had formally requested assistance from the Ministry of Home Affairs and the Disaster and Conflict Management Division on Bhadra 10 for search and rescue operations. It has also sought support and coordination from the Nepal Electricity Authority (NEA) and Nepal Telecom.

According to the company, it immediately informed all relevant stakeholders after the incident and initiated rescue efforts. A management team has also traveled to Nuwakot and is making every possible effort to establish contact and carry out rescue operations at the site.

Preparations are now underway to transport relatives of the missing personnel, company staff, and 25 Nepal Army personnel to the site for rescue and excavation work. Although there had been plans to take them to the site on Friday, various technical issues prevented the team from reaching the area on Bhadra 13. The company said the team is now scheduled to depart for the site early on Bhadra 14.

The company has also appealed to all concerned parties to provide the necessary support and coordination for the ongoing rescue and excavation efforts.

Jalasarokar