KATHMANDU: Rescue teams in Nepal have recorded two remarkable survival stories more than a week after catastrophic floods and mudslides devastated settlements, transport links and hydropower projects along the country’s northern river valleys.

A Chinese national was brought out alive after spending about 10 days inside a flood-hit hydropower tunnel on the Trishuli River. In a separate operation, an elderly Nepali woman—whose relatives had already begun mourning rituals—was found alive inside an air pocket in the ruins of her home at Betrawati.

Chinese worker carried to safety

The rescued worker, identified in reports as 49-year-old carpenter Lu Haitao, was found deep inside a hydropower tunnel after surviving in darkness for days. He is believed to have moved towards a higher section of the tunnel as floodwater, mud and debris cut off the exit.

Nepal Army personnel supported him as he emerged from the tunnel before he was transferred for medical treatment. The rescue followed the recovery of two Nepali workers from the Upper Trishuli 3A project on September 4, renewing cautious hope that others may still be alive in isolated sections of the underground network.

Embassy representatives reach army hospital

Staff from the Chinese Embassy in Nepal arrived at an army hospital in Kathmandu after the worker was evacuated. Nepal Army personnel were seen briefing the representatives outside the facility as officials coordinated medical care and communication with his family.

Woman rescued after family began mourning

In Betrawati, rescuers located Chandika Kumari Shrestha inside the remains of a collapsed four-storey building. Her relatives had feared she was dead and had begun an 11-day mourning ritual before rescue personnel heard a faint voice beneath the debris.

She had survived in a confined air pocket surrounded by mud and unstable rubble. Her recovery, together with the tunnel rescues, has encouraged teams to continue checking spaces where trapped air, elevated ground or structural gaps might have protected survivors.

Thousands shelter away from their homes

While rescue teams continue searching tunnels and collapsed structures, displaced families are living in schools, community halls and other temporary centres. At Devighat in Nuwakot district, survivors were seen resting on floor mats with bedding, bags and essential belongings arranged across a crowded shelter.

Relief agencies face the growing challenge of providing safe drinking water, food, medicine, sanitation and protection for vulnerable people. Reuniting separated families and verifying lists of missing residents and foreign travellers also remain major priorities.

Tunnel search remains the centre of operations

Around 900 employees from multiple hydropower projects remain unaccounted for, with authorities estimating that roughly 500 could be inside tunnels. Thick mud, damaged approach roads, unstable rock and flooded passages have limited the speed at which rescuers can advance.

• Army and police units are continuing searches at hydropower and riverside sites.
• Heavy machinery is being used where access roads and ground conditions permit.
• Technical specialists are helping teams assess tunnel stability and possible air pockets.
• Recovered bodies are being examined as authorities work to identify missing residents and foreign nationals.

Death toll and missing figures remain provisional

More than 1,300 deaths have been reported in Nepal, while nearly 5,000 people remain listed as missing. On the Tibet side of the border, Chinese authorities have reported 43 deaths and 519 missing people. The figures may change as duplicate reports are removed, survivors reconnect with their families and additional victims are identified.

The disaster has also destroyed homes, roads, bridges, public buildings and power infrastructure. Nepal’s disaster authorities previously estimated direct losses at approximately NPR 387.5 billion, or about $2.56 billion, while around 20,000 houses may require reconstruction.