Two individuals have been successfully rescued from a flooded tunnel at the Trishuli 3A Hydropower Project in Nepal after enduring nine harrowing days trapped underground. One of the survivors shared his remarkable story of survival, revealing that he continuously chanted the Hare Krishna mantra throughout his ordeal while holding onto the hope of rescue. By coincidence, the successful extraction occurred on the auspicious day of Krishna Janmashtami, a major Hindu festival celebrating the birth of Lord Krishna. The rescue marks a major milestone in the ongoing emergency response efforts following the disaster.
Sustained by Faith Through Nine Days
Among the two employees rescued after nine days is 30-year-old Sanjay Sah, a resident of Saptari district in Madhesh Province. Sanjay Sah is an employee of the Nepal Electricity Authority. Immediately after being brought to safety, he recounted his experience to security personnel, stating that he had spent the past nine days reciting the Hare Krishna Mahamantra while trapped inside the dark, waterlogged tunnel. His unwavering faith provided him with the mental resilience needed to endure the prolonged isolation.
A Foreman Who Prioritized Others
Working as a foreman at the project, Sanjay Sah explained that when the disaster struck and others fled for their lives, he chose to stay behind because he felt a strong sense of responsibility toward the safety of everyone on site. At the time of the incident, he was on duty inside the control room. He noted that his primary duty was to protect everyone's lives. He instructed others to escape immediately, but by the time the rest of the workers attempted to leave, it was already too late for many to outpace the rising waters.
Possible Survivors Still Trapped Inside
When asked about how many others might still be trapped inside, Sanjay Sah mentioned that he had heard the voices of three or four people near him or had spoken with them during the disaster. He suggested that additional individuals could still be stranded within the sprawling complex, including people who were near the powerhouse. He pointed out that the tunnel is exceptionally long and not everyone would have managed to escape in time, adding that the fierce current of the floodwaters likely swept people further into the interior of the structure. Currently, security commands led by the Nepal Army are utilizing specialized equipment to conduct intensive search and rescue operations.
Medical Status and Evacuation of Survivors
According to security sources, the condition of the survivors is stable and they do not have any critical health complications. They were initially taken to a local hospital in Trishuli for observation and care. Meanwhile, 45-year-old Kabir Maharjan, who was also rescued from the site, required advanced medical attention due to health complications. He was airlifted to the Nepal Army Hospital located in Chhauni, Kathmandu, for specialized treatment.
