Himal Press 
Photo: RSS
KATHMANDU: More than 800 people working at hydropower projects and related infrastructure are missing after the August 26 Bhotekoshi floods, according to Minister for Energy, Water Resources and Irrigation Biraj Bhakta Shrestha.
Addressing the House of Representatives on Wednesday, Shrestha said 47 of those missing are Nepal Electricity Authority (NEA) employees.
He said 1,433 people were working at the Upper Trishuli-1 Hydropower Project before the flood. Of them, 955 were safely rescued, while some others made contact on their own. The project has reported 439 people missing.
On the 12th day after the flood, a Chinese national was rescued alive from the project site. So far, 39 bodies have been recovered from the project.
Similarly, 39 people are missing from the Upper Trishuli-3A Hydropower Project. Two NEA employees, Sanjay Sah and Kabir Maharjan, were rescued alive from the project on the 10th day after the flood, Shrestha said.
One body was also recovered from the project.
According to Shrestha, 178 people are missing from the Upper Trishuli-3B Hydropower Project, 93 from the Rasuwagadhi Hydropower Project, seven from the Mailung Khola Hydropower Project and three from the Rasuwa-Bhotekoshi Hydropower Project.
Similarly, 39 people are missing from the Langtang Khola Hydropower Project. Nineteen people were rescued alive from the project, while two bodies have been recovered.
During search and rescue operations at the powerhouse of the Chilime Hydropower Centre, the bodies of five employees were recovered. One employee is still missing there.
Shrestha also informed parliament that two people are missing from the Middle Trishuli Ganga Hydropower Project and three from the Trishuli Hydropower Centre. Some employees from the Devighat Hydropower Centre, Trishuli-3B Hub, Rasuwa Distribution Centre and the Chilime-Trishuli Transmission Line are also missing.
