'Work is our karma': Nepal tunnel survivor vows to help rebuild
PULLED alive 10 days after catastrophic floods trapped him in a tunnel, Nepali hydropower worker Kabir Maharjan is determined to help rebuild his country despite his own harrowing ordeal.
Nepali hydropower worker Kabir Maharjan, pulled alive from a tunnel 10 days after floods trapped him, is resolute to aid his country's rebuilding efforts despite his own ordeal. Upon returning home on Friday, he was greeted by traditional music and tearful relatives. Maharjan, 45, who has a wife and two children, expressed his gratitude and determination, stating that life is precious and he feels compelled to serve his society, country, and family.
The catastrophic floods, triggered by a glacial collapse near the China-Nepal border on August 26, claimed over 1,400 lives, with more than 5,000 still missing. Many of those affected were employed in hydropower projects, which form the backbone of Nepal's development and export earnings. Maharjan, among the rescued workers, survived by reaching an upper floor in the tunnel and drinking water while awaiting rescue.
He recounted how he survived by finding a light and hearing voices, eventually being airlifted out. His survival comes as Nepal transitions from emergency response to reconstruction, with more than 800 people still missing from hydropower projects. Despite his physical injuries, Maharjan remains hopeful, emphasizing that work is our karma, and we must persevere over risks.
The government estimates the reconstruction could cost US$4.8 billion, and aid groups warn that the humanitarian crisis is far from over.
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