In an incredible turn of events ten days after devastating floods swept through the region, rescue teams in Nepal successfully pulled a Chinese national alive from a buried tunnel. The operation, led by the Nepal Army alongside international experts, took place at the Upper Trishuli-1 Hydropower Project in the Rasuwa district. The survivor, identified as Luhaitao, was located 225 meters deep within the tunnel. Photos released by the military showed him being carried to safety by rescuers, appearing alert despite being coated in thick mud. He is currently receiving medical evaluations as search efforts for others continue.

This rescue follows the discovery of two Nepali workers at a different tunnel site just a day prior, providing a glimmer of hope amidst a massive national tragedy. The flooding, triggered by a catastrophic glacial and rock collapse on August 26, has left behind a staggering toll, with over 1,300 confirmed deaths and thousands still missing across Nepal and China. With rescue teams from several nations working around the clock to clear debris from at least 12 damaged hydropower projects, the government is also struggling to manage the humanitarian crisis as thousands remain displaced in temporary relief camps. Prime Minister Balendra Shah has vowed to support the survivors, even as authorities work to handle the overwhelming number of casualties through DNA-led identification and mass burials.