Flood chased me as I ran for 20 minutes, Nepal tunnel engineer tells BBC
Hydropower workers in Nepal describe a harrowing escape from a tunnel flooded by the Trishuli River during recent catastrophic flash floods. The disaster has resulted in over 1,000 deaths and thousands of missing persons, with rescue efforts currently focused on searching tunnel networks.
Why it matters
The event highlights the extreme vulnerability of infrastructure workers to climate-induced disasters and the massive scale of the humanitarian crisis in Nepal.
Figure caption, Pemba Dundu Tamang tells the BBC how he discovered some of his colleagues were missing after he escaped a flooded tunnel
Nepalese hydropower workers have told the BBC about the catastrophic moment water from the Trishuli River crashed into their tunnel as the region was inundated by deadly flash floods last week.
It started with a sudden, strong gust of air, says Pemba Dundu Tamang, whose team of about 30 was constructing the tunnel's concrete lining.
The blast of wind sent plywood flying through the air and dislodged heavy machinery. Just outside, houses had already been swept away.
"I ran towards the tunnel entrance," he said. "The water was chasing behind me and I was running ahead of it."
Get smarter about the news
Sign up free for a feed built around what you actually care about, Dive Deeper research on any story, and the full text of every article.
Create free accountAlready have an account? Sign in