Chinese engineer rescued from Nepal tunnel after glacial flood disaster

A Chinese tourist was pulled alive from a collapsed tunnel in Nepal on Saturday, ten days after a wall of ice, rock and mud plunged into the Trisuli River valley, killing more than 1,300 people. The rescue, carried out by Nepalese police and local volunteers, was the latest attempt to recover bodies and survivors from the flood‑dammed area near the town of Dhading.

The disaster struck on 7 February when a sudden glacial melt triggered a 10‑meter‑high wall of debris that breached a small hydroelectric tunnel. The torrent surged downstream, destroying villages, roads and a key supply route for the Kathmandu valley. The flood was the worst in the region in over 30 years, and it exposed the fragility of Himalayan infrastructure that is increasingly vulnerable to extreme weather linked to climate change. The incident highlighted how quickly a natural event can turn a quiet valley into a death trap.

The Chinese national, identified only as a 45‑year‑old engineer, was found trapped in a collapsed section of the tunnel that had been used to divert water for a small power plant. Rescue teams, equipped with rope and shovels, worked through the night under heavy rain. The survivor was transported to a hospital in Kathmandu where doctors confirmed no serious injuries. The Chinese embassy in Kathmandu confirmed the identity of the rescued citizen and thanked Nepalese authorities for their swift action. Local officials said the rescue was a reminder that many people remain missing, and that the government is still sifting through the debris to locate more bodies.

Authorities have announced that a comprehensive review of the region’s flood defenses will be undertaken, with plans to upgrade the tunnel’s structural integrity and to install early warning sensors on the surrounding glaciers. The rescue has also prompted calls from international aid agencies for increased investment in climate‑resilient infrastructure across the Himalayas. As Nepal prepares for the upcoming monsoon season, the incident will likely influence policy decisions on disaster preparedness and cross‑border cooperation in the fragile mountain environment.