Nepal survivors' fresh test as men pulled from tunnel

Survivors of the Nepal-Tibet flood disaster are struggling to reconnect with loved ones, as workers were rescued alive from a hydropower tunnel. Following Australian confirmation of two citizens making contact overnight, the number of missing Australians rose to 36. Nicole Batch, head of migration at the Australian Red Cross, highlighted infrastructure damage as a major hurdle, citing interruptions to mobile networks, power outages, and collapsed bridges and roads that impeded communication efforts.

She emphasized the challenge posed by the scale of the disaster and the overwhelming number of people attempting to contact loved ones. Batch, who specializes in locating missing individuals after disasters, noted that many survivors likely lost their phones or were hindered by power or network blackouts during the floods. Nepal Telecom resumed services in the affected regions, but faced days of coverage challenges and ongoing capacity strain, alongside immediate infrastructure barriers.

Rescue efforts for over 100 workers trapped in underground power stations continue, with Australian advisor Arnold Dix describing the task as akin to solving an unsolvable puzzle. Dix, advising on the Trishuli 3A hydropower project, reported that two workers were pulled alive from a tunnel nine days after the floods began. The Nepalese army heard voices inside the tunnel, fueling rescuers' determination.

Over 1200 deaths and 5000 missing persons have been reported since a glacier collapse triggered flash flooding along the border region. Australia has dispatched 19 officials and disaster response specialists, with 23 more to follow, and Prime Minister Anthony Albanese has offered condolences to Nepalese authorities. DFAT is coordinating with local authorities to locate Australians and notify their next of kin.

Aid donations from Australians exceeded $4 million, with the federal government pledging an additional $3 million, totaling $11 million in humanitarian support.