An Indian specialised tunnel search and rescue team has joined the Nepali Army in efforts to locate people trapped at hydropower facilities affected by the devastating floods in Nepal.
The team is carrying out search operations at underground hydropower sites in the Chilime and Langtang areas, where difficult terrain and debris have complicated rescue efforts.
The deployment comes as authorities intensify efforts to reach workers who may be trapped inside powerhouses and tunnels following the flash floods across the Trishuli basin.
MEA spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal confirmed the joint operation on X.
"India's tunnel rescue team joined the Nepali Army in search & rescue operations at hydropower tunnel sites in the Chilime and Langtang areas today," Jaiswal wrote on X.
The Indian Embassy in Kathmandu also said the specialised team would continue working alongside the Nepali Army.
"The tunnel rescue team from India worked with the Nepali Army's team to conduct search & rescue operations at hydropower tunnel sites in Chilime and Langtang area today. The team will continue to conduct search and rescue operations in close coordination with the Nepali Army."
Indian Ambassador to Nepal Naveen Srivastava also highlighted the ongoing cooperation between the two countries.
"Specialised team from India for Tunnel Search & Rescue operation worked with the Nepali Army's team at hydropower tunnel sites in Chilime and Langtang area today. The team will continue to conduct search and rescue operations in close coordination with the Nepali Army."
Equipped with specialised technical equipment, the Indian team is assisting rescue personnel in challenging mountainous areas and narrow gorges.
Rising water levels and large quantities of debris have made access to several underground structures particularly difficult.
The joint search operation comes amid a massive rescue effort following the floods.
Authorities said 15 people were rescued from a hydropower site on Sunday, including five Chinese and seven Indian nationals.
Nepal Flood Death Toll Climbs To 903
The scale of the disaster has continued to grow, with Nepal's National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Authority (NDRRMA) reporting 903 deaths as of Monday.
The figure has risen from the previously reported 788 fatalities.
Around 4,247 people are still missing, while 10,451 people have been rescued so far, according to the latest data.
Chitwan has recorded the highest number of recovered bodies, with 272 casualties, including various human remains.
Nawalparasi (East) has reported 207 deaths, followed by Nawalparasi (West) with 151.
Nuwakot has recorded 95 deaths, while Gorkha reported 62, Dhading 55, Tanahun 37 and Rasuwa 24.
The missing include personnel from several security and government departments.
According to the data, 25 Nepal Police personnel, 45 Nepal Army personnel, 13 Armed Police Force personnel, 15 Customs Office personnel and three Immigration Office personnel remain missing.
Thousands Still Missing
District Emergency Operations Centre data shows that Nuwakot has reported 1,548 missing people, while Rasuwa has recorded 865.
Another 933 people associated with hydropower projects are reported missing.
Makwanpur has reported 65 missing persons, while the number of missing foreign nationals stands at 592.
Rescue teams continue to operate across the affected areas.
The Nepal Army has so far carried out aerial rescues involving 252 foreign nationals and 3,344 Nepali citizens.