Nepal Hydropower Project Faces Catastrophic Flooding: Workers Left Vulnerable

On August 26, Samar Bezbaruah found himself on what he thought would be an ordinary work day at the Upper Trishuli-1 hydropower project in Nepal. Having relocated from Nalbari district in Assam seven months ago, Bezbaruah and a team of 20 were preparing to begin their shift inside a tunnel at the project site. However, within hours, their lives would be irrevocably changed.

At approximately 9:15 am, Bezbaruah and his colleagues witnessed a massive surge of water crashing into the project’s powerhouse located in the valley below. Panic ensued as they rushed out of the tunnel to escape the impending disaster. Upon reaching safety, they were confronted with the devastating scene: roads had been obliterated by the floodwaters, leaving debris and silt in their wake.

“We sought refuge on a nearby hill where we waited for two days before being rescued,” Bezbaruah recounted, illustrating the sheer unpredictability of the situation. Tragically, many of his coworkers remain unaccounted for. Of the original group of 13 from Assam, only eight have returned home, deepening the anxiety for those still missing, including Bezbaruah’s own relative from the village.

This disaster has raised significant concerns about the oversight of flood risks associated with the hydropower project. Reports indicate that the potential for such catastrophic flooding was known, yet financial institutions backing the project seemingly overlooked these warnings. The situation has prompted an urgent call for increased scrutiny and accountability in project management practices, especially in vulnerable regions prone to natural disasters.

As the survivors grapple with the aftermath, the focus now shifts to both the ongoing rescue efforts and the need for a thorough investigation into the project’s risk assessments. The community mourns those missing while demanding answers from stakeholders involved in the hydropower initiative. This incident serves as a stark reminder of the fragility of human life in the face of nature’s wrath and the imperative to prioritize safety in infrastructure development.

Source: scroll.in