Indian Rescue Team Continues Efforts Inside Chilime Tunnel as Nepal Flood Crisis Deepens
Kathmandu— Indian and Nepali rescue teams continued their difficult operations inside the Chilime Tunnel on Saturday, working through heavy debris, water and mud as rescue efforts continued in the aftermath of devastating floods in Nepal.
The Indian Embassy in Nepal said the Indian rescue team was working in close coordination with the Nepal Army to clear the tunnel and reach its deeper sections.
“Take a look at the ongoing rescue operations being carried out by the Indian rescue team in close coordination with the Nepali Army, inside the Chilime Tunnel,” the embassy said in a post on X. “The joint team India-Nepal continues their work despite challenges posed by heavy debris, water and mud.”
India’s Ambassador to Nepal, Naveen Srivastava, said the teams were removing large amounts of debris, water and mud from inside the tunnel to create a path for heavy machinery to reach the deeper sections.
“India and Nepal rescue teams continue to remove heavy debris, water and mud, which in the interior has reached close to the roof of the Chilime tunnel,” Srivastava said in a post on X.
He said clearing the tunnel would allow heavy equipment to be taken farther inside and assist the rescue operation.
At the same time, crews are working to create an access road from nearby Syafrubesi to the tunnel portal. The difficult mountainous terrain and narrow valley have limited the use of heavy helicopters, making a road connection particularly important for bringing an excavator to the site.
The rescue operation comes as Nepal grapples with the devastating impact of flash floods in the Himalayan region, with thousands of people reported unaccounted for.
India steps up humanitarian assistance
India has also expanded its humanitarian support to Nepal as rescue and relief operations continue.
The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) said Friday that India has so far delivered approximately 95 tonnes of relief material on seven aircraft and deployed 54 personnel to support rescue and relief efforts.
MEA spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal, speaking at a press briefing in New Delhi, said India would continue providing assistance based on requirements communicated by the Nepalese government.
“We will continue to provide assistance as per the requirements of the Nepal government,” Jaiswal said, adding that India planned to send additional forensic kits, Bailey bridges and other requested materials in the coming days.
Two Indian aircraft flew to Kathmandu on Thursday carrying 21 tonnes of relief supplies, he said.
The 54 personnel deployed by India include 30 tunnel rescue experts, 19 forensic experts and a five-member medical team.
“Our rescue and forensic teams are deployed on the ground, and they are working closely with the Nepalese authorities,” Jaiswal said.
The continuing tunnel operation represents one part of India’s broader response to the disaster, with specialist teams working alongside Nepalese authorities as they confront difficult terrain, blocked access routes and the enormous volume of debris left by the floods.
As crews continue clearing the Chilime Tunnel, the immediate priority remains creating safe access deep into the tunnel and enabling heavy equipment to reach areas that rescuers have so far been unable to access. (Source: IANS)
