Rescue operations are continuing at Nepal’s Chilime hydropower project, where six workers are believed to be trapped inside a tunnel, with Indian and Nepali teams using heavy machinery to clear mud and debris and advance towards an underground powerhouse.

Also Read: Nepal flash floods wash away illusions of clean, easy hydropower

The operation gathered pace after an excavator, loader, and Bobcat were brought into the tunnel, India’s Ambassador to Nepal Naveen Srivastava said in an update on Saturday (September 12, 2026). The technical team cleared about 70 metres further, he said.

According to the project manager, the powerhouse is about 60 metres further down the tunnel. The rescue teams were to continue working through the night to reach it, Mr. Srivastava said.

The Border Roads Organisation has also prepared the approach road to the rescue site, according to authorities.

Separately, Nepal’s Army said it had constructed more than a kilometre of access road from Syafrubesi towards the Chilime tunnel, enabling rescue equipment to be taken closer to the site.

The Nepal Army and Indian rescue personnel are jointly working inside the Chilime tunnel, according to a report published in the Khabarhub news portal.

The Army has also prioritised rescue operations at the Upper Trishuli-3B hydropower project, where more than 100 Army personnel have been deployed, the report said.

The Himalayan Times reported on Sunday (September 13, 2026) that Nepali Army personnel were also continuing search-and-rescue operations at the Upper Trishuli-3B project site.

At Chilime, however, there has been no public confirmation that rescuers have established contact with the six workers. Reports indicate that rescuers found a pocket of air near the area where the workers are believed to be trapped, but that does not establish that they are alive or that contact has been made.

Flash floods, triggered by an ice-rock avalanche near the Nepal-Tibet border on August 26, devastated towns and villages in northern and central Nepal, killing nearly 1,400 people, while more than 5,000 remain missing.

The Bhotekoshi River, which flows south from the Himalayan border region, carried the floodwaters downstream, sweeping away homes, vehicles, roads and bridges and damaging hydropower projects.

Around 100 people are believed to be trapped in nearly a dozen tunnels linked to hydropower projects in flood-affected areas.

The death toll due to the flash floods in Nepal rose to 1,377 on Thursday (September 10, 2026) as more bodies were recovered from the affected districts, while rescue and search operations continue for more than 5,000 missing people, authorities said.

At least 364 bodies have been recovered from Chitwan district, 228 from Nawalparasi East, 222 from Nawalparasi West and 198 from Nuwakot, according to the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Authority (NDRRMA).

Similarly, 178 bodies have been recovered from Rasuwa, 77 from Gorkha, 70 from Dhading and 38 from Tanahu, it said.

Two flood victims died during treatment in Kathmandu.

The joint command of security personnel has continued search and rescue operations for the missing people, estimated to be 5,130.

Also Read: Nepal flash floods: What caused the devastation?

So far, 13,656 people have been rescued from the flood-affected areas.

The flash floods, triggered by an ice-rock avalanche near the Nepal-Tibet border on August 26, devastated towns and villages in northern and central Nepal.

The Bhotekoshi River, which flows south from the Himalayan border region, carried the floodwaters downstream, sweeping away homes, vehicles, roads and bridges and damaging hydropower projects.

The disaster also killed at least 43 people on the Chinese side, while more than 500 people remain missing in Tibet, according to Chinese media reports.

The death toll from the devastating flash floods in Nepal surged to 1,355 on Monday (September 7, 2026) as more bodies were recovered from the affected areas, authorities said.

Rescue teams continued to search for 4,996 people, including at least 589 foreign nationals, who remain missing, while 13,396 people have been rescued so far, the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Authority (NDRRMA) said.

According to NDRRMA, 363 bodies have been recovered from Chitwan district, 221 from Nawalparasi West, 222 from Nawalparasi East and 197 from Nuwakot.

Similarly, 169 bodies were recovered from Rasuwa, 75 from Gorkha, 70 from Dhading and 38 from Tanahu, it said.

The joint command of security forces is actively conducting search and rescue operations.

Major rescue operations are underway at hydropower projects in flood-affected districts, where hundreds of men are believed to be trapped in tunnels. Teams of experts from India and China are assisting their Nepali counterparts in these operations.

The flash floods, triggered by an ice-rock avalanche near the Nepal-Tibet border on August 26, devastated towns and villages in northern and central Nepal.

The Bhotekoshi River, which flows south from the Himalayan border region, carried the floodwaters downstream, sweeping away homes, vehicles, roads and bridges and damaging hydropower projects.

The disaster also killed at least 21 people on the Chinese side, while more than 500 people remain missing in Tibet, according to Chinese media reports.

Even as they grieve the loss of loved ones and search for missing family members, several survivors of Nepal’s devastating floods have returned to the front lines to help others affected by the disaster.

Sudip Kumar Neupane, 31, survived the August 26 flood that swept away his younger brother and a close colleague.

After spending two days grieving, he joined the relief efforts, helping with the distribution of food and other assistance to displaced people in Rasuwa, The Kathmandu Post newspaper reported on Saturday (September 5, 2026).

Flash floods, triggered by an ice-rock avalanche near the Nepal-Tibet border on August 26, devastated towns and villages in northern and central Nepal, killing more than 1,300, while around 5,000 remain missing.

Mr. Neupane had been helping warn villagers about the approaching flood when he was caught in the torrent along with his 27-year-old brother Pradip and an acquaintance, Janak.

The three men were racing back towards safety after being warned that the flood was approaching. The flood struck soon afterwards, sweeping away Pradip and Janak. Neupane survived after running uphill.

After two days of grieving, Mr. Neupane returned to the relief effort as displaced people needed food and shelter and the local government unit was short of staff. “I survived by luck. For as long as I live, I will continue serving society and the people,” he was quoted as saying by the newspaper.

In neighbouring Nuwakot, Suchit Joshi has continued helping with search and rescue efforts while four members of his own family – his wife, seven-year-old daughter, sister-in-law and nephew – remain missing, the OnlineKhabar news portal reported.

During a search operation, Mr. Joshi found his uncle and another nephew. His search then turned into a wider rescue effort, with five people joining his team. The group helped people trapped by the flood and rescued an elderly woman who had been stranded in floodwater in front of her house, taking her to safety.

Mr. Joshi has continued searching for his own relatives, including alongside security personnel. During one search mission, three bodies were recovered from the Trishuli, but they were badly damaged and could not be identified.

Even as he searches for his own loved ones, Mr. Joshi has continued helping others affected by the disaster. “I am enduring it and still continuing with the rescue work,” he was quoted as saying by the news portal.

Three more Indian nationals, among them a five-year-old child, have been rescued from the flood-hit Trishuli Bazaar area of Nepal, bringing the total count of Indian evacuees to 169, while 275 nationals remain missing, the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) said on Friday (September 4, 2026).

Sharing broader updates on the safety of Indian nationals, MEA Spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal noted that 1,907 Indians have safely crossed over to Nepal from China.

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The three Indian nationals rescued from the Trishuli Bazaar area have been identified as Abhijit Suresh Pawar, Dipika Abhijit Pawar, and five-year-old Samarth Abhijit Pawar, Mr. Jaiswal said, adding that the Indian Embassy in Kathmandu is facilitating their return flight home.

The spokesperson said India has supplied around 95 tonnes of relief material to Nepal since the flash floods hit the country on August 26.

The death toll from the floods has risen to at least 1,295 after rescue workers recovered more bodies from affected areas, according to Nepalese authorities.

While emergency teams have rescued more than 12,000 people, roughly 5,000 remain missing as search and rescue operations continue.

“As per our information, 275 Indian nationals remain missing. We continue to be in close touch with the Nepali government,” Mr. Jaiswal said at his regular media briefing.

“We deeply appreciate the efforts of the Nepalese authorities in this regard.” Mr. Jaiswal said 169 Indian nationals have been rescued and 1,907 Indians have safely crossed into Nepal from China.

“As per official sources in China, there are no Indian travellers who are stranded in the Tibetan Autonomous Region in China,” Mr. Jaiswal noted.

The MEA spokesperson said India will continue to provide assistance to Nepal as per the requirements of the government in that country.

“We do plan to send more forensic kits, Bailey bridges and other materials that are requested by the government of Nepal,” he said.

Mr. Jaiswal said India has supplied around 95 tonnes of relief material on seven aircraft to Nepal till now.

“In addition to the relief material, we have also sent 54 personnel to support relief and rescue efforts in Nepal. This comprises 30 tunnel rescue experts, 19 forensic experts, and a five-member medical team. Our rescue and forensic teams are deployed on the ground, and they are working closely with the Nepalese authorities,” he said.

The first tranche of relief materials was sent by India hours after Prime Minister Narendra Modi spoke to his Nepalese counterpart Balendra Shah on August 26, the day the flash floods struck the Himalayan nation.

Mr. Modi had assured Mr. Shah of all possible humanitarian assistance to deal with the situation.

The floods have damaged 35 motorable bridges, 45 suspension bridges, and 40 km of black-topped roads, mainly in central Nepal, according to local authorities.

Mr. Jaiswal said India responded promptly to the flash floods in Nepal and will continue to support the reconstruction and recovery efforts in the country.

The United Nations (UN) appealed on Friday (September 5, 2026) for $50 million to help more than 84,000 people in Nepal affected by catastrophic flooding, warning that winter was fast approaching.

The August 26 floods on the China-Nepal border, triggered by a glacial mountain collapse killed more than 1,300 people and left more than 5,600 missing in both countries. “Time is against them,” the UN office in Nepal said. “For those who survived, the flood has taken almost everything that made daily life possible,” it added. The floods tore through mountain districts, destroying roads, bridges and hydropower dams.

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“UN Nepal and partners are appealing for nearly $50 million to deliver cash, food, shelter, clean water, healthcare and other life-saving assistance to the most devastated communities,” it said. “Health authorities are already watching for fever and diarrhoea in displacement centres,” the UN appeal added.

“Human remains and thousands of dead livestock still lie in the debris, raising the risk of communicable disease outbreaks. Communities near the epicentre remain cut off. Families whose homes are gone need durable shelter in weeks, not months,” the appeal said.

A UN preliminary assessment estimated building damage from Nepal’s floods at $158 million alone, warning that total losses — including damage to roads and bridges, agricultural land and humanitarian costs — would be far higher. Nepal has suggested the reconstruction bill could run into “billions” of dollars.

To facilitate the identification of mortal remains of Nepal flood victims, the Centre will make available the services of central and state-level forensic labs for DNA profiling of their first-degree biological relatives in India, the MEA has said.

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First-degree biological relatives residing in India — father, mother, son, daughter or sibling — may have their biological samples collected and DNA profiles prepared at Central Forensic Science Laboratories (CFSLs); State Forensic Science Laboratories (SFSLs); laboratories of the National Forensic Sciences University (NFSU); and NABL-accredited laboratories having DNA profiling capability, the ministry said in a statement.

The death toll from last week’s flash floods in Nepal has risen to at least 1,259 after rescue workers recovered more bodies from affected areas, according to Nepalese authorities.

While emergency teams have rescued more than 12,000 people, roughly 5,000 remain missing as search and rescue operations continue.

In a press statement on Tuesday (September 1, 2026), the Embassy of India in Kathmandu outlined the information available regarding the procedures for identification of mortal remains of the August 26 flash flood victims, the MEA said.

In this backdrop, and as an additional measure to facilitate the ongoing identification process, the Union Ministry of Home Affairs has decided to make available the services of CFSLs, SFSLs and NFSU laboratories in India for “DNA profiling of first-degree biological relatives of persons who remain missing following the flash flood in Nepal”, it said.

The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) also shared a list of government forensic science laboratories having DNA profiling facilities.

“As advised by the Nepal Police, Autosomal STR DNA profiling may be undertaken for the purpose of identification, subject to the technical requirements communicated by the Nepali authorities. The helpline number in this regard is: +977 9841 6160 95,” it said.

Once prepared, the DNA profiles, along with the preliminary information required by the Nepali authorities, may be sent by email — dnacodis@nepalpolice.gov.np — for comparison with DNA profiles obtained from unidentified mortal remains, the statement said.

For facilitation and coordination by the Embassy of India, Kathmandu, a copy of the DNA profile may also be sent to eoikathmandufloodsupport@gmail.com, it said.

The flash floods, triggered by an ice-rock avalanche near the Nepal-Tibet border, devastated towns and villages in northern and central Nepal, leaving a trail of destruction.