Nepal Floods: Rescuers Crawl Through Mud-Filled Tunnels as Death Toll Nears 1,000

Nepal’s devastating floods and landslides have triggered a major search-and-rescue operation across the country, with teams battling thick mud, damaged infrastructure and unstable terrain to reach people still missing in affected areas. The disaster has killed at least 939 people in Nepal, while 3,925 remain unaccounted for, according to the latest figures reported by Nepal’s disaster authorities. 

One of the most difficult rescue operations is underway at hydropower projects in the Rasuwa and Nuwakot districts, where floodwaters and landslides buried tunnel networks and surrounding infrastructure. Rescue teams are using heavy machinery, cameras, air-pumping equipment and other specialised tools to locate workers who may still be trapped underground.

Rescuers Move Through Mud-Filled Tunnels

Footage released by the Nepali Army shows rescue personnel navigating narrow passages filled with mud and debris while searching for survivors. The conditions inside the tunnels remain extremely difficult, with mud obstructing access points and making it hard for teams to determine the original entry and exit routes.

Controlled blasting has also been used in some areas to create access points, while specialised equipment is being deployed to search sections of the buried tunnel networks.

The hydropower sector has been among the worst affected. Earlier estimates had placed hundreds of workers among those missing from damaged projects. According to the latest reporting, the number of missing hydropower workers has fallen to 639, while rescue teams continue to search affected facilities. (BSS)

Roads, Bridges Disrupted by Floods

Rescue operations are also being slowed by widespread damage outside the tunnel sites. Floodwaters and landslides have destroyed or damaged roads and bridges, leaving several mountain communities difficult to reach.

Authorities are using helicopters to evacuate survivors and deliver essential supplies to areas cut off by the disaster. Road connectivity has gradually been restored in some affected districts, allowing rescue and relief teams to reach locations that had remained isolated. 

23 Bodies Found in Nuwakot House

The scale of the destruction has become clearer as search teams move into previously inaccessible areas. In Nuwakot district, rescuers recovered 23 bodies from a single house in the Betrabati area, according to reports on Tuesday. Search operations at the location were continuing as authorities worked to establish the final number of victims.

The development has added to concerns about the number of victims who may still be buried under mud, debris or collapsed structures.

International Support for Rescue Efforts

Nepal’s rescue operation has received international assistance as the country struggles to cope with the scale of the disaster. India and China have provided specialised support, including expertise relevant to tunnel rescue operations.

Reuters reported that 279 workers had been rescued from hydropower facilities, while around 600 remained trapped or unaccounted for in connection with the affected projects. 

Search Continues Amid Fresh Risks

Rescuers continue to face the threat of additional landslides, heavy rain and unstable ground. These conditions have repeatedly forced teams to pause operations and move to safer locations.

The immediate priority remains locating people still missing, rescuing anyone trapped underground and providing emergency assistance to communities that have lost homes, roads and other essential infrastructure.

The latest figures underline the severity of the disaster, with Nepal’s death toll already approaching the 1,000 mark and thousands of people still unaccounted for. Authorities are continuing search, evacuation and relief operations across the worst-hit districts.

A five-storey building collapse in Delhi’s Saket area triggered a large rescue operation on Saturday evening, with 12 people pulled from the debris so far and searches still underway.

Building Crashes in Saket

A five-storey building collapsed in South Delhi's Saket area on Saturday evening, trapping multiple people under the debris and prompting an extensive rescue operation by emergency agencies.

According to officials, the incident occurred around 7 pm. Teams from the Delhi Fire Service (DFS), Delhi Police and disaster response units were rushed to the site shortly after distress calls were received. Authorities said 12 people had been rescued from the rubble by late Saturday night.

No deaths had been reported at the time of filing this report, though officials indicated that rescue personnel were continuing to clear debris and search for anyone who might still be trapped.

Rescue Efforts Intensify

Emergency responders deployed four fire tenders and specialised rescue equipment to the collapse site. Visuals from the area showed teams working through piles of concrete and twisted debris while ambulances remained stationed nearby.

Officials involved in the operation said the primary focus remained on locating survivors and ensuring no occupants were left beneath the collapsed structure.

Some of those rescued were seen being shifted to hospitals for medical examination and treatment. Authorities have not yet released detailed information regarding the condition of the injured.

Cause Yet to Be Known

The exact reason behind the building collapse has not been established. Civic and police authorities are expected to conduct a detailed structural assessment once rescue operations are completed.

Initial reports indicate that investigators will examine the building's construction history, maintenance records and any signs of structural weakness. Officials have not ruled out any possibilities at this stage.

The collapse has once again raised concerns over the safety of ageing and densely occupied buildings in parts of the national capital.

Separate Incident in Central Delhi

In another incident reported earlier on Saturday, a 35-year-old man suffered critical injuries after a stone reportedly fell from the Doordarshan building in Delhi's Tilak Marg area.

The injured man, identified as Neeraj Kumar, was rushed to a hospital, where he remains under treatment. Authorities are examining the circumstances that led to the accident.

While unrelated to the Saket building collapse, the incident added to concerns about structural safety and maintenance of public infrastructure in the city.

Recent Collapse Cases

Delhi has witnessed several serious building collapse incidents in recent months.

In July 2025, a four-storey residential building in the Welcome area collapsed, resulting in the deaths of six people and injuries to eight others. Reports at the time indicated that ten members of a family were residing in the structure.

Earlier, on April 18, 2025, a four-storey building in Mustafabad collapsed during the early hours of the morning. The tragedy claimed 11 lives and triggered a prolonged rescue operation lasting more than 12 hours. Police had stated that 22 people were living in the building.

Safety Concerns Resurface

The latest Saket incident is likely to renew scrutiny of building safety standards, structural audits and enforcement mechanisms in Delhi. Urban planners and civic authorities have repeatedly highlighted the risks posed by ageing structures, unauthorised modifications and inadequate maintenance.

Residents in several older neighbourhoods have also raised concerns over the condition of residential buildings, particularly during periods of heavy rainfall and seasonal weather fluctuations.

Search Operation Ongoing

As rescue teams continue their work at the collapse site, officials have urged people to avoid the area and allow emergency personnel to carry out operations without obstruction.

Authorities said a comprehensive investigation will follow once the search operation concludes. For now, the focus remains on ensuring that every possible survivor is located beneath the debris from the Saket building collapse.