Kathmandu, September 5, 2026 (Yes Punjab News)
The Indian rescue team continued operations inside the Chilime Tunnel in Nepal on Saturday, working in close coordination with the Nepal Army as rescue efforts intensified following devastating floods that left thousands of people unaccounted for.
The Indian Embassy in Nepal said the joint India-Nepal rescue teams were continuing to clear heavy debris, water and mud from the tunnel despite challenging conditions.
“Take a look at the ongoing rescue operations being carried out by the Indian rescue team in close coordination with the Nepali Army, inside the Chilime Tunnel. The joint team India-Nepal continues their work despite challenges posed by heavy debris, water and mud,” the embassy said in a post on X.
Earlier, Ambassador of India to Nepal Naveen Srivastava said the teams were removing heavy debris from the tunnel to facilitate the movement of heavy machinery into its deeper sections.
“India and Nepal rescue teams continue to remove heavy debris, water and mud, which in the interior has reached close to the roof of the Chilime tunnel,” Srivastava said.
He said the clearance work would enable heavy machinery to be taken deep inside the tunnel. In parallel, efforts were underway to construct an access road from nearby Syafrubesi to the tunnel portal.
The Ambassador said the difficult terrain and narrow valley made extensive use of helicopters impractical. The access road would allow an excavator to be brought to the site to support rescue operations.
India has also stepped up humanitarian assistance to Nepal following the devastating flash floods.
Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal said on Friday that India had so far dispatched around 95 tonnes of relief material on seven aircraft, along with 54 personnel to support rescue and relief operations.
Addressing a bi-weekly press briefing in New Delhi, Jaiswal said India would continue providing assistance based on requirements communicated by the Nepalese government.
He said additional forensic kits, Bailey bridges and other requested materials would be sent in the coming days.
The 54 personnel deployed by India include 30 tunnel rescue experts, 19 forensic experts and a five-member medical team. Indian rescue and forensic teams are working on the ground in coordination with Nepalese authorities.
Jaiswal also said that two Indian aircraft had flown to Kathmandu the previous day carrying 21 tonnes of relief material.
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