Sludge severely hampers Rasuwa tunnel rescue as workers build makeshift boat from drum to push 90 metres inside Rescue operations inside the tunnels in Rasuwa face massive hurdles due to heavy sludge and debris trapping people. Mountain rescue coordinator Vikram Karke describes how workers used a cut-open drum as a makeshift boat to navigate deep mud and reach 90 metres into the blocked passage. Rescue operations inside the tunnels in Rasuwa continue to face severe difficulties as thick sludge and heavy debris block access routes. Mountain rescue coordinator Vikram Karke described the harrowing conditions, stating that stepping into the tunnel immediately triggered a sinking sensation. The ground felt firm initially, but the moment it took his weight, the mud began swallowing him up. Submerged up to his waist, it took nearly an hour to pull himself out, an experience unlike any he had encountered before. Cut-open drum turned into a boat inside Chilime tunnel Vikram Karke serves as the Mountain Rescue Coordinator at the Nepal Mountaineering Association and has successfully summited Mount Everest twice. Recalling the events, he stated that on 26 August at around 10 am, a police officer informed him of a major disaster in Rasuwa. Gathering seven team members immediately, bad weather left them stranded in Kathmandu for a day before traveling to Rasuwa on motorcycles the following day. An initial plan to operate in the Trishuli-1 hydropower area was aborted after the army deemed it unsafe. The team then shifted to the Chilime tunnel, which was filled with water and treacherous mud. Previous rescue teams had turned back after reaching 90 to 100 metres inside. Home Minister Sudan Gurung suggested cutting open a metal drum to use as a boat. While it initially sounded unusual, unconventional ideas often succeed when standard methods fail. Workers cut open a drum, attached plywood and floating material, and used it by lying on top and pushing forward, managing to reach 90 to 95 metres deep. Beyond that point, the passage remained completely blocked, with six individuals trapped on the other side. Clearing the mud manually is impossible, prompting rescue coordinators to inform authorities that operations cannot proceed without mud pumps, water pumps, and excavation machinery. Machinery available, but transport remains a hurdle Working alongside a 26-member team from the Indian Army led by commanding officer Mr Mehra, rescue workers faced limitations with standard climbing gear, ropes, and anchors against deep sludge. The situation demands heavy excavators, mud pumps, and drilling machines. A single excavator weighs around three tonnes, requiring a large helicopter for transport to the tunnel site. The landing area is far too small to accommodate a large helicopter, and proximity to the steep mountains creates a constant risk of rotor blades striking the hillside. Consequently, even with machinery available, no practical method exists to transport heavy equipment directly to the rescue zone. Inside the Chilime tunnel lies a four-storey-equivalent structure containing food, drinking water, and essential supplies. If oxygen can reach this enclosed area, trapped individuals might still be alive. However, debris has completely sealed off the ventilation and access route, silencing all communication attempts. Clearing a further 40 to 50 metres beyond the 100-metre mark remains essential to reaching the opposite side. While the immediate priority involves supplying oxygen through pipes, reopening the blocked corridor is a prerequisite. Daily efforts involving drilling, debris removal, safety line installation, and water pumping are repeatedly thwarted as sludge flows back to seal the passage. Foreign rescue teams deployed at Trishuli-1 tunnel The Trishuli-1 or Tunnel 216 site presented similar obstacles with water and mud blocking entry points from both sides. Alongside Nepali and Indian personnel, rescue units from China, South Korea, and Pakistan have arrived. The Chinese team, possessing extensive tunnel operation experience, larger manpower, and specialized equipment, has advanced much deeper toward the main powerhouse section. With only 40 to 50 metres of blocked stretch remaining for the Chinese team, reaching the interconnected tunnel network offers higher survival prospects since air circulation remains possible, and six or seven people have already escaped from that side. In contrast, the Chilime tunnel features a single entry and exit route, complicating operations significantly. Indian Army logistics and operational support Collaborating with the Indian Army proved positive due to their robust communication networks and engineering capabilities, such as rapidly constructing Bailey bridges. Nevertheless, challenges persisted as their base camp is situated at a lower altitude while rescue efforts take place higher in the mountains, consuming daily travel time. Furthermore, the absence of a dedicated helicopter forces reliance on erratic army or private aircraft. Body recovery and volunteer efforts Rescue teams coordinate with the army and police to transport recovered bodies and survivors while relaying medical supply lists to government authorities. Operations in Timure resulted in 78 rescues in a single day alongside the transport of 24 bodies, while sites in Syaprubesi yielded grim recoveries including headless remains and severed limbs, severely taxing the psychological resilience of workers. Operating entirely on a voluntary basis without accepting any financial compensation, the 12-member specialist team rotated in groups of three around the clock to handle entry, safety, and equipment preparation. Global appeal for specialized machinery Urging international assistance, Karke emphasized that supplies of heavy machinery, powerful mud pumps capable of handling rock-mixed sludge, excavators, drilling machines, and experienced mountain rescue specialists are urgently required. A minor deployment of 30 or 40 personnel cannot alter the situation, necessitating a coordinated global response to manage the disaster. What this means for you The ongoing tunnel rescue operations in Rasuwa carry significant practical implications for disaster response protocols and infrastructure safety in mountainous regions. • In Nepal and Mountainous Regions: Safety standards and risk assessment procedures for tunnel construction and hydropower projects in rugged terrains will undergo rigorous review. Future engineering initiatives will likely mandate advanced debris-clearing machinery on-site to handle sudden sludge inundations. • For Local Residents: Communities in Rasuwa, Chilime, and Syaprubesi will see revised emergency response protocols implemented by local authorities. These changes aim to streamline medical supply distribution and evacuation coordination during crises. • For Rescue Agencies: Joint operations involving personnel from Nepal, India, and international teams will foster enhanced technical collaboration. Future deployments will prioritize establishing pre-arranged logistics corridors for heavy machinery transportation. • For Workplace Safety Regulations: Construction and tunnelling authorities are expected to enforce stricter safety protocols and establish reliable alternative escape routes for workers. This ensures better preparedness against sudden blockages and structural collapses. Questions & Answers 1. Which tunnels are the focus of the rescue operations in Rasuwa? Rescue operations are currently underway inside the Chilime, Trishuli-1, and Trishuli-3A tunnels. 2. Who is Vikram Karke? Vikram Karke is the Mountain Rescue Coordinator at the Nepal Mountaineering Association and a two-time Mount Everest summiter. 3. How did rescue workers cross the sludge inside the Chilime tunnel? Workers cut open a metal drum, attached plywood and floating material to it, and pushed themselves forward while lying on top to reach 90 to 95 metres inside. 4. Which section of the Chilime tunnel is considered the most difficult? A 40 to 50 metre stretch located beyond the 100-metre mark is the most challenging section that needs clearing. 5. Which international rescue teams are deployed at the site? Along with Nepali and Indian personnel, rescue teams from China, South Korea, and Pakistan have arrived at the site. 6. What role has the Indian Army played in the operation? A 26-member Indian Army team has assisted with engineering capabilities, robust communication systems, and general logistics support. 7. Why is it difficult to transport heavy machinery to the tunnel? The landing area is too small and surrounded by steep mountains, creating a crash risk for large helicopters required to carry three-tonne excavators. 8. What recovery operations were conducted in Timure and Syaprubesi? Workers rescued 78 people in a single day and transported 24 bodies in Timure, while also recovering remains in Syaprubesi. https://trendkia.com/en/investigations/sludge-severely-hampers-rasuwa-tunnel-rescue-as-workers-build-makeshift-boat-from-drum-to-push-90-metres-inside-27941 TrendKia — Har trend, sabse pehle.