Assam Workers Rescued from Nepal Floods, Five Still Missing

Rescue Operation for Assam Workers

Dhubri, Aug 31: Eight workers from Assam, who found themselves trapped in Nepal due to severe flooding on August 26, have safely returned to Dhubri early Monday morning. However, five of their colleagues from the Upper Trishuli hydropower project are still unaccounted for.

With the help of local police and district officials, the eight workers were transported back to Dhubri from the Nepal border and are now on their way home.

The individuals have been identified as Pankaj Barman, Gopal Debnath, Gautam Das, Samar Bezbaruah, Sarbison Marak, Soneswar Narzary, Silva Marak, and Elipson Changma.

The group of 13 workers had traveled to Nepal for job opportunities at the hydropower facility when they were caught off guard by the floodwaters, which forced them to seek refuge on higher ground.

According to the survivors, they endured several days stranded on a mountain with minimal food before being rescued by the Nepal Army via helicopter and subsequently taken to Kathmandu. Arrangements were made for their return to Assam thereafter.

Gautam Das, hailing from Doboka in Hojai district, recounted their harrowing experience: “We were stuck on a mountain for about three days without food. The Nepal Army rescued us by helicopter and took us to Kathmandu. We arrived in Dhubri around 3 am today.”

He expressed concern for their missing colleagues, stating, “Many of our co-workers are still unaccounted for. Helicopters are searching for them, but there is no news yet. We barely survived; our belongings were swept away, and the local market was completely destroyed.”

Pankaj Barman from Nalbari, who was also part of the Upper Trishuli project, described the terrifying moment when the floodwaters invaded the powerhouse. “We were working inside the powerhouse tunnel when we heard a loud noise, similar to an explosion. Water rushed in rapidly, and we had to escape immediately,” he shared.

Pankaj noted that the river swelled by approximately 50 to 60 feet, carrying debris and large stones. The workers managed to climb to a mountain to avoid the rising waters.

“For four days, we survived on just water and biscuits. The Army provided us with food before rescuing us and taking us to Kathmandu,” he added.

Pankaj has been working on various projects in Nepal for about six years and was currently engaged at the Upper Trishuli project.

Silva Marak, a resident of Satgaon in West Karbi Anglong, mentioned he had been in Nepal for seven to eight months. “Out of the 13 of us from Assam, eight have returned safely, while five remain missing. Rescue teams are actively searching for them. We have reached Dhubri, and arrangements are being made for our return to our villages,” he stated.

Gopal Debnath from Digaru in Sonapur confirmed that the missing workers are from Nalbari, Karbi Anglong, and Hojai districts. “The Assam Chief Minister has organized our flights. We traveled from Kathmandu and are now in Dhubri before heading home,” he said.

While the eight workers have safely returned to Assam, the fate of their five colleagues remains uncertain, with ongoing search and rescue efforts in Nepal.