Four bodies found in Nepal tunnel as flood search continues

On August 26, 2026, flash floods triggered by an ice-rock avalanche near the Nepal-Tibet border devastated northern and central Nepal, killing nearly 1,400 people and leaving over 5,000 missing. The disaster swept away homes, vehicles, roads, bridges, and damaged hydropower projects along the Bhotekoshi River. In rescue efforts at the Chilime hydropower project, six workers are believed to be trapped in a tunnel, with Indian and Nepalese teams using heavy machinery like excavators, loaders, and Bobcats to clear debris. On September 12, rescuers advanced about 70 metres into the tunnel; by September 14, they had cleared much of the blockage but faced challenges such as water inflow and large boulders. Tragically, four bodies were found in another hydropower tunnel three weeks after the disaster, prompting families to demand faster action from rescuers battling thick mud and damaged infrastructure.