Nepal, Indian teams near final stage of Chilime tunnel rescue operation
Joint rescue teams from India and Nepal are in the final stages of clearing a blocked tunnel in Chilime to reach six trapped workers. The operation has been complicated by flooding and debris following a major ice-rock avalanche in the region.
Why it matters
The incident underscores the ongoing humanitarian crisis and infrastructure damage caused by extreme weather events in the Himalayan region.
Nepal and India’s joint rescue teams have reached the final stage of efforts to clear the blocked portion of the Chilime tunnel and reach an underground powerhouse, where six workers are believed to be trapped, authorities said.
The tunnel face is being cleared using wheel loaders. Once the blocked section is cleared, the Indian and Nepalese rescue teams will move further inside the tunnel to reach and rescue the workers, they said.
Indian Ambassador to Nepal Naveen Srivastava said on Monday (September 14, 2026) that the joint team had continued work to clear the remaining blocked section of the tunnel using excavators and loaders.
The operation faced unexpected challenges, including an inflow of water from inside the tunnel and the presence of large boulders, he said.
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