Kathmandu, September 29
Four people buried by a landslide at the 456 MW Upper Tamakoshi Hydropower Project in Lamabagar, Bigu Rural Municipality-1, Dolakha, remain unaccounted for.
The landslide occurred on Saturday morning, damaging a two-story building used for controlling gates. Two Nepali Army personnel and two employees of the hydropower project were buried under the debris.
Mohan Gautam, the Chief Executive Officer of the Upper Tamakoshi Hydropower Project, reported that the rescue team has not yet reached the landslide site, and the whereabouts of the four individuals remain unknown.
“The shift change occurred around 10:30 a.m. yesterday, and the incident took place around 11 a.m.,” Gautam stated. “Two Nepali Army personnel and two contract employees responsible for gate operations were buried in the landslide.” Initially, it was reported that a security guard was also buried, but it has since been confirmed that the guard was not caught in the landslide.
According to Gautam, a Nepali Army helicopter from Kathmandu is set to reach the project site this morning. Additionally, equipment from Rolwaling Construction, which has been working on the project, is being prepared to clear the landslide-affected area.
Assistance has also been sought from the Tamakoshi-5 project to remove stones and mud accumulated in the sedimentation pond. The landslide has damaged structures in the dam area (headworks) of the project.
Due to the increased water flow in the Upper Tamakoshi, all gates at the dam were opened, and electricity production was halted from 7 pm on Friday.
A video shows the landslide falling from the top of the mountain, and project employees described the situation as unimaginable.
