Against All Odds: Two Workers Pulled from Trishuli Tunnel, Nine Days After Nepal's Catastrophic Floods

Can you imagine the sheer relief? After nine harrowing days trapped deep within a flooded tunnel, cut off from the world, two men have emerged alive. This past Friday, September 4, 2026, was a day of profound gratitude for the families of Sanjay Shah, a mechanical foreman, and Kabir Maharjan, a mechanical supervisor. They were rescued from the Trishuli 3A Hydropower Project tunnel in Nepal, a place that had become their terrifying prison following devastating flash floods.

Both men, thankfully, were reported to be in stable condition, a testament to their resilience and, perhaps, a bit of luck. They were quickly flown to a hospital in Kathmandu for much-needed medical attention. Kabir Maharjan's brother, Amir, spoke of the immense joy and relief that washed over their family, a sentiment undoubtedly echoed by Sanjay Shah's loved ones.

But this moment of joy, as incredible as it is, unfolds against a backdrop of unimaginable devastation. The floods, likely triggered by a catastrophic glacier collapse, have ravaged the Nepal-Tibet border region, particularly impacting the Bhotekoshi and Trishuli river areas. The scale of the human tragedy is heartbreaking: over 1,200 people are confirmed dead, with some reports even pushing that number closer to 1,300. Even more agonizing, more than 5,000 individuals remain missing in Nepal alone as of late August. On the Tibetan side, the toll is also grim, with 21 dead and 541 still unaccounted for.

A particularly poignant aspect of this disaster involves the hydropower sector. A staggering 900 workers from various hydropower projects in Nepal are still missing, and a chilling estimate suggests around 500 of them could be trapped within flooded tunnels, just like Sanjay and Kabir. Specifically, in the Trishuli 3A tunnel where the recent rescues occurred, authorities believe at least 39 to 40 other workers might still be trapped. This isn't an isolated incident; it's feared that over 150 people are stuck inside half a dozen different hydropower station tunnels across the affected region.

The rescue operations are, understandably, fraught with peril. Rescuers are bravely working in extremely dangerous conditions, often below flood-plain level, facing significant risks, including the ever-present threat of drowning. Australian engineer and geologist Arnold Dix has been advising Nepali authorities on the Trishuli 3A operation, bringing his expertise to a truly challenging environment. Yet, amid these dangers, hope continues to flicker. Reports indicate that voices have been heard from deeper within the Trishuli 3A tunnel, a powerful sound that drives the rescuers forward, reminding everyone that there might be more survivors waiting to be found.

As Nepal grapples with the aftermath of this immense natural catastrophe, these rescues serve as a vital reminder of human resilience and the indomitable spirit of hope. Every voice heard, every person brought to safety, fuels the ongoing, desperate search for those still lost in the dark.