KATHMANDU: A technical Search and Rescue team from the Nepal National Mountain Guide Association (NNMGA) entered a flood-affected tunnel at Chilime Hydropower in Rasuwa on Saturday, advancing about 120 metres into the tunnel before thick mud and debris blocked further access.

The mountain guide team was deployed at the request of Chilime Hydropower and reached the affected area with helicopter support from Simrik Air. The operation highlights the specialised technical skills of Nepal's mountain guides, whose expertise in difficult terrain, rope rescue and high-risk environments is being mobilised beyond the country's traditional mountaineering and adventure tourism activities during the ongoing disaster response.

The operation was initially planned as a long-line rescue and access mission because heavy mud around the tunnel was expected to prevent the helicopter from landing. The NNMGA team had prepared to establish technical anchors and access the site using a helicopter long-line system if required.

However, conditions at the site had improved sufficiently for the helicopter to land near the tunnel entrance, allowing the team to reach the area directly.

Approximately one hour after the NNMGA team arrived, Nepal Army personnel also reached the site. The two teams jointly surveyed and assessed the affected area before the mountain guides entered the tunnel to conduct a technical search.

Photo Courtesy: NNMGA

The guides proceeded approximately 120 metres inside the tunnel during the search and recovered a camera bag. Their progress was then halted by a large accumulation of thick mud, sludge and debris that had completely blocked the tunnel.

Following the technical assessment, the team concluded that further movement into the tunnel could not be carried out effectively through human resources alone. Excavation machinery and suitable pumping equipment will be required to remove the accumulated mud and clear the passage before a deeper search can resume.

The NNMGA technical team returned to Kathmandu after completing Saturday's search and assessment and said it remains ready to support further operations if required.

The team involved in the operation comprised IFMGA Mountain Guides Ashis Gurung and Dorjee Sherpa, along with Aspirant Mountain Guide JenJen Lama. Aspirant Mountain Guide Sabin Thakuri remained on standby in Kathmandu.

The NNMGA said it is prepared to provide technical terrain search and rescue, rope rescue, mountain rescue and helicopter long-line rescue expertise in coordination with the concerned authorities.

The deployment comes as Nepal continues extensive search and rescue operations following the devastating Bhote Koshi River flash floods, which have affected several areas of Rasuwa and other districts and involved both Nepali and foreign nationals.

The involvement of professionally trained mountain guides also underscores the broader role of Nepal's adventure tourism workforce during emergencies. Mountain guides regularly operate in remote, technically demanding and unpredictable environments, developing skills in navigation, rope systems, evacuation and helicopter-assisted operations that can be valuable in disaster response.