Nepal reports more than 900 workers missing after floods devastate hydroelectric plants
More than 900 professionals involved in hydropower projects are missing in Nepal. The disappearance comes after strong floods hit 14 power generation units in the northern region of the Asian country, as reported by the Nepalese disaster response agency on July 26, 2024.
Severe impacts of floods in Nepal
The force of the waters on July 26 caused the destruction of buildings, washed away bridges and caused significant damage to several hydroelectric installations. The affected enterprises are located on the banks of the Bhotekoshi and Trishuli rivers, in an area close to the border with Tibet.
On the same topic: California suspends evacuation after eliminating risk of chemical tank explosion
Recent images revealed the action of relief teams removing survivors from the mud that invaded the power plant tunnels. There is great concern that more workers may have lost their lives or are isolated in damaged structures.
In the broader context of the disaster, the total number of missing people now exceeds the 2,400 mark. Dinesh Paudel, a geographer at Appalachian State University, reported that he was unable to contact a friend who worked on one of the projects.
More on this story: California rules out risk of explosion in chemical tank in Orange County, United States
Growth of hydropower and its risks
Despite the constant dangers of earthquakes, floods and landslides, hydropower production has seen marked growth in Nepal over the past decade. The area offers favorable conditions with steep rivers, high water volume and its strategic proximity to China.
Chinese companies often participate in the construction of the plants, which provide jobs for Nepalese engineers and workers. Many of these workers migrate from other parts of the country, driven by the difficulty of finding work opportunities abroad.
Workers’ activities include drilling and maintaining tunnels, often with rudimentary tools such as pickaxes. Paudel highlighted that the high concentration of projects in the area favors new construction, since the infrastructure and roads are already in place.