The bodies of five workers trapped inside the Chilime Hydropower Station following the August 26 Bhotekoshi River flood have been identified and handed over to their families, as per the authorities.
The deceased have been identified as engineer Santosh Pandey, electrical supervisor Minraj Moktan, security guards Shyam Bahadur Thapa Magar and Tilak Bahadur Thapa Magar, and Nepal Electricity Authority employee Lakpa Tamang, according to Chilime Hydropower Company Managing Director Baburaja Maharjan.
The bodies were found on Wednesday in the station's control-room area, about 150 metres inside the tunnel from its outer section. A Nepal Army helicopter transported the bodies to Nuwakot before they were handed over to their respective families.
Earlier reports had put the number of bodies recovered from the tunnel at four. Later identification and handover confirmed five deceased workers from the Chilime facility.
The flood severely damaged the hydropower facility. Reports say floodwater rose about 85 metres above the tunnel and destroyed major structures, including two 11-megawatt turbines.
Search and rescue operations continue at several affected hydropower sites in Rasuwa and surrounding areas.
