‘There is hope that those trapped in the tunnel of Chilime may be safe’: Kulman

Kathmandu. Chairman of Ujjyalo Nepal Party, Kulman Ghising, has said that there is hope that the employees trapped in the underground powerhouse of the Chilime Hydropower Project are safe. Ghising, who is also the former managing director of Nepal Electricity Authority, had left for Rasuwa 2 days ago after seeking technical assistance for the search and rescue operation.

Through his social media address this morning, Ghising said echo echo could be heard from inside the tunnel and cold wind was blowing, raising hope for those trapped inside to be safe.

He informed that only about 100 meters are left to reach the power house. According to Ghising, work is being done to remove a large amount of mud, sand and stones accumulated in the main access tunnel leading to the power house.

“When the sound is sent within about 120 meters of the narrow area of the tunnel, its echo is heard and cold air is also coming from there. This has strengthened our hopes and assumptions that the people trapped inside the tunnel are safe. In this situation, every meter of progress and signal has given new hope,” Kullman wrote.

In order to make the rescue work more fast and effective, the excavator from Syaphrubesi has expedited the opening of the road to the tunnel. He believes that the excavator is likely to reach the tunnel today itself and then the work of removing the piled up mud using loaders and excavators will gain further momentum.

Nepal Army, Nepal Police, Armed Police Force, experts and rescue teams of Indian Army, local administration and employees of Chilime Hydropower Company have been mobilized in the area.