'Layer upon layer of miracles': How Nepal flood survivors were rescued from tunnel

Unprecedented Rescue Effort in Nepal

When flash floods struck the Nepal-Tibet border last week, the impact was catastrophic. Over 1,300 lives were lost, and entire communities were swept away by the force of nature. Among the most challenging rescues was that of two men trapped inside a hydropower tunnel near Trishuli 3A station. The operation to reach them involved not just human resilience, but also extraordinary engineering ingenuity.

The Tunnel's Buried Entrance

Arnold Dix, president of the International Tunnelling and Underground Space Association, shared his experience with the BBC, describing the initial hurdle that rescuers faced. "It's like layer upon layer of miracles" that they found two men alive after the tunnel had been completely buried by an avalanche, rendering its entrance nearly impossible to locate.

"I've never known a rescue operation where you had to look for an entrance of a tunnel that was previously up the hill, that was now underground. You can imagine the enormity of the avalanche, it completely buried the entrance," Dix said.

With no visual cues from the surface, teams turned to old topographic maps, satellite imagery, helicopter footage, and even power poles to triangulate where the tunnel might lie beneath the debris. This painstaking search was crucial before any real digging could begin.

Digging Through Debris

Once the entrance was found, rescuers faced another challenge—locating the survivors inside. The tunnel had been filled with mud and rocks so large they were described as car-sized, blocking all passage. Using explosives to clear the path was a risky strategy, one typically avoided due to the risk of further collapse or injury.

But in this case, precision was key. According to Dix, it was the Nepalese army's expertise that made the operation possible without causing additional harm. "They did a wonderful job managing the explosions with such care and precision," he noted.

Waterlogged Conditions

Even after clearing some of the debris, rescuers discovered the tunnel was still full of water—a fact that added another dimension to the mission. With excavators and pumping systems working around the clock, teams began digging trenches from the tunnel down to the river outside in an effort to drain it.

This process not only made progress safer for those inside but also demonstrated the logistical complexity of such a rescue. Every step had to be calculated, given the risk of another flood occurring while they were still working inside the unstable structure.

A Tiny Tunnel to Salvation

Eventually, rescuers created a narrow passageway just large enough for one person to crawl through. They used the original tunnel's roof as support—mitigating both flooding risks and structural dangers. In early Friday morning, the sound of voices was heard from inside the tunnel.

"Don't worry, we're here to rescue you," they called out. And they heard back a faint "okay."

Sanjaya Shah and Kabir Maharjan were pulled out alive—marking a significant milestone in what has become one of the most challenging rescue missions in recent memory.

The Road Ahead: The 'Goldilocks Zone'

While the rescue of these two individuals was a beacon of hope, the real test lies ahead. Dix estimates that around 60 meters have been dug so far, with an additional 150 meters still needed to reach the hydropower station deep within the mountain.

Rescuers are now aiming for what Dix calls the "Goldilocks zone"—a safer area located at the uppermost level of the station where survivors may still be alive. It's a place that is more hospitable and less prone to flooding or rockslides.

"We got two people out. If we were playing at a casino, some might say it's time to walk away, but we say game on, time to take on the house," Dix stated with determination.

The current operation reflects not only human resilience in the face of natural disaster but also how modern engineering techniques can be applied under extraordinary circumstances. While challenges remain, there is renewed optimism that more survivors may yet be found and brought to safety.

What This Means for Future Rescues

This operation serves as a case study in adaptive problem-solving and resourcefulness during disasters. In the face of unprecedented conditions, engineers and rescue teams worked together to apply tried-and-true methods—such as triangulation, precision explosives, and strategic tunneling—in ways that had never before been attempted on such a scale.

For future missions in similar situations, the experience from Nepal will be invaluable. It highlights how combining old-world knowledge with modern tools can turn what seemed like an impossible task into something achievable.

In times of crisis, we often hear stories that remind us of our collective strength. This is one such story—one where engineering, teamwork, and sheer determination have created a miracle in the face of devastation.