Indian rescue team arrives in flood‑stricken Nepal to search tunnels for trapped workers

A joint Indian disaster‑relief contingent reached the flood‑ravaged regions of Nepal on Monday, responding to a request for assistance after unprecedented rains caused landslides and inundated several mountain valleys. The team, comprising engineers, medical staff and specialized search‑and‑rescue personnel, was airlifted to the affected district where several tunnel networks used by construction crews have been compromised.\n\nThe primary objective of the mission is to locate and extricate workers who are believed to be trapped inside the collapsed sections of these tunnels. Indian officials are working closely with Nepalese authorities, including the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Authority, to map the affected sites and coordinate safe entry points.\n\nRescue crews are employing sonar equipment, portable lighting and breathing apparatus to navigate the water‑logged passages. Officials caution that the operation remains hazardous due to unstable ground, residual floodwaters and the risk of further landslides. They have not provided a timeline for completion, but have affirmed that all available resources are being deployed to bring the workers to safety.\n\nThe deployment underscores the long‑standing cooperation between India and Nepal in disaster management, with both nations having signed multiple agreements to share expertise and resources during emergencies.