Indian and Nepali Teams Press On Inside Chilime Tunnel Amid Worsening Nepal Floods

Kathmandu – On Saturday, joint Indian and Nepali rescue squads continued their painstaking work inside the Chilime Tunnel, a critical passage that was severely damaged by the recent monsoon floods. The teams are battling a mix of collapsed rock, water‑logged sections and thick mud that have turned the tunnel into a hazardous maze.

The operation follows a series of flash floods that have inundated large swathes of central Nepal, displacing thousands and overwhelming local emergency services. While rescue crews focus on clearing debris and locating any survivors trapped within the tunnel, parallel efforts are underway across the region to provide shelter, food and medical aid to affected families.

For the South‑Asian diaspora, the situation underscores the close ties between India and Nepal in disaster response, as well as the vulnerability of infrastructure in the Himalayan belt to extreme weather. Communities abroad are mobilising donations and coordinating with NGOs to support relief initiatives on the ground.

Authorities say the rescue work will continue as long as conditions allow, with the priority being the safety of both the trapped individuals and the rescuers themselves.