Nepal’s army has intensified efforts to rescue more than 100 people trapped inside a tunnel at the Trishuli 3A hydropower project after mountain floods and severe flooding. A special military team began helicopter-supported operations on Friday, two days after the disaster, targeting stranded workers and local residents in the tunnel.

Army spokesperson Rajaram Basnet told AFP that locating those trapped and bringing them out safely was the immediate priority. Two helicopters have been deployed, but strong currents, adverse weather and difficulty identifying the tunnel entrance have complicated the operation. Relief assistance is also being provided to people who have been rescued.

A statement from the prime minister’s office said army personnel had already rescued about 350 workers and local residents from the tunnel despite hazardous conditions, while more than 100 remained trapped. Workers rescued from other hydropower projects in the Trishuli valley described extensive damage. USGS data said the disaster followed a glacier collapse on Wednesday that created a powerful flow of ice and debris.