Over 800 hydropower workers still out of contact: Minister Shrestha

KATHMANDU: Minister for Energy, Water Resources and Irrigation Biraj Bhakta Shrestha has said that more than 800 people working in various hydropower projects and structures are still out of contact due to the devastating floods in the Bhotekoshi-Trishuli River on August 26.

Speaking at the meeting of the House of Representatives on Wednesday, Minister Shrestha expressed tribute to the families affected by the floods and expressed commitment to continue the search and rescue operations until the last possible time.

According to him, the government has prioritized treatment of the injured, rehabilitation of the displaced and reconstruction of damaged infrastructures including electricity, roads and bridges, as the pain of the families waiting for their relatives out of contact was deep.

More than 800 people, including 47 employees of Nepal Electricity Authority (NEA), are out of contact with various hydropower projects and structures.

The minister said that 1,433 people were working in the Upper Trishuli-1 Hydropower Project before the floods and 955 were rescued safely or they came in contact with them themselves. He said that 439 people are still out of contact with the project. He said that one Chinese national was rescued safely on the 12th day of the floods and 39 bodies have been recovered so far.

Likewise, 39 people are out of contact from Upper Trishuli-3 ‘A’ and employees Sanjay Sah and Kabir Maharjan were rescued safely on the 10th day of the floods, said Minister Shrestha.

Likewise, Minister Shrestha informed the parliament that employees working at Devighat Hydropower Center, Trishuli-3 ‘B’ Hub, Rasuwa Distribution Center and Chilime-Trishuli transmission line are also out of contact. He said that the government has given high priority to the search and rescue of the people trapped in the underground structures of the hydropower project due to the floods and those who have gone out of contact.

Minister Shrestha said that the government was not disappointed in the loss caused by the disaster and it was the supreme responsibility of the state to bring back the life of the people affected by the disaster.