Nine Korean workers missing for over 50 days due to the devastating floods in Nepal are still being searched for, relying on just two small excavators at the disaster site. Efforts to bring in larger excavators are hampered by completely washed-out roads, necessitating the construction of a makeshift crossing over the river to transport equipment. As Nepalese authorities shift their response from search and rescue to recovery and reconstruction, securing access routes to locate the missing remains a significant challenge.
As of October 18, at the main camp of the Upper Trishuli-1 (UT-1) hydropower plant, two small excavators, one weighing 1.2 tons and another 2.3 tons, are being used to excavate debris. Work is underway to build a crossing by piling earth from the power plant to the river to bring in three additional excavators, but the timeline for this remains uncertain. The equipment currently deployed to drain water from the flooded underground power plant consists of only five pumps and one diesel generator.
While there is a pressing need to clear debris and drain water from the site, bringing in sufficient equipment has proven difficult. Surrounding roads have been washed away, blocking land transport, and transporting large excavators by helicopter is also challenging. Even if additional equipment is secured, it cannot be deployed to the search site without a crossing over the river.
Continuous rain is further obstructing both the delivery of equipment and on-site operations. The monsoon season, which typically ends in September, has extended, causing ongoing difficulties in operations this month as well. Plans are in place to bring in additional excavators this month, but schedules may change depending on weather conditions and the progress of the crossing work, making it uncertain when search efforts can be expanded.
Support from domestic companies has not directly addressed the shortage of manpower and equipment for the search for the missing Koreans. HD Hyundai announced in September that it would send 20 medium-sized excavators, blankets, dishes, hygiene products, and tarps to the flood-affected areas in central northern Bagmati Province, Nepal. However, these machines are reportedly being allocated to local Red Cross or municipal needs rather than being used for the search for the missing Koreans, focusing instead on broader recovery efforts in the region.
Currently, various companies, including Doosan Enerbility, Andritz, and local partners, are working at the UT-1 site. However, they must simultaneously excavate debris, create access routes for equipment, and drain water from flooded facilities. More than 50 days after the incident, the situation remains that the necessary infrastructure for search operations must still be restored.
An industry insider stated, "The extent of the flooding has not only affected the waterways but has also swept away all surrounding roads. Local personnel find it difficult to access the site, and even when equipment is secured, conditions do not allow for immediate deployment." They added, "While we continue to secure equipment, the ongoing rain makes operations challenging, leading to a frustrating and bleak situation."
* This article has been translated by AI.
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