Power Project Workers Among the Disappeared in Nepal’s Flood Crisis

The recent floods have severely impacted Nepal’s hydro‑power sector. According to the Independent Power Producers Association of Nepal (IPPA‑N), 983 employees associated with 11 power projects in the Rasuwa and Nuwakot river corridors remain missing. When the floodwaters surged, Upper Trishuli‑1 (216 MW) alone had 1,433 workers on site.

Out of those, 876 have either been rescued or have re‑established contact with their families. The remaining unaccounted personnel include 15 staff from the project companies, 78 workers from EPC contractor Doosan, 94 employees of Andritz Hydro, seven consultants from a joint venture between Lahmeyer International GmbH and Z Consulting Private Ltd, and 385 laborers from civil sub‑contractor PowerChina.

Hydro‑power projects such as Upper Trishuli‑3A (60 MW), Chilime (22 MW), Longtang Khola (20 MW), Trishuli‑3B (37 MW) and Upper Trishuli‑1 continue rescue operations within their tunnel systems. A Nepal Army‑led team inspected the Rasuwagadhi Hydro‑Power Project (111 MW) on Monday but reported no survivors inside the power‑house tunnel.