Kathmandu: Despite challenging weather conditions and difficult terrain, South Korea has ramped up its search efforts for nine of its nationals and others who have been missing since last week's catastrophic floods in Nepal, as confirmed by the South Korean foreign ministry on Friday. These individuals were working on the Upper Trishuli-1 (UT-1) hydropower plant construction project when disaster struck on August 26.
According to Yonhap News Agency, the Korea Disaster Relief Team (KDRT) is set to resume both helicopter and ground searches early Friday. The KDRT, which had employed drones and other advanced technologies for aerial surveillance the previous day, reported no significant findings. The team is coordinating closely with the Nepalese military to assess the situation and prioritize search areas. However, adverse weather conditions have hampered their efforts, with one of the two deployed helicopters forced to return prematurely and the other unable to take off.
The search strategy is focusing on locations where the missing workers might have sought refuge, including near a local landmark known as the Yellow Bridge and a mountainous region behind the workers' main campsite. The missing individuals include six employees from Doosan Enerbility Co. and three from Korea South-East Power Co.
The KDRT is also considering conducting searches in tunnel areas and near Dhunche, a location approximately 2 kilometers from the UT-1 hydropower plant's upper dam. The discovery of two bodies-one confirmed as a non-Korean national and another still unidentified-adds urgency to the ongoing efforts.
Equipped with rescue dogs, high-resolution drones, and specialized detection equipment, the KDRT was joined by a government emergency response team for joint operations. The floods have had a devastating impact on Nepal, with over 1,200 fatalities and nearly 6,000 people still missing, according to foreign media sources.