GUWAHATI: Eight workers from Assam who were stranded in Nepal following a devastating flood have been rescued and safely brought back to Dhubri, while five others from Nagaon, Nalbari and Karbi Anglong remain missing, officials said.
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The rescued workers were brought to Dhubri from the Nepal border late Sunday night, August 30, by the Dhubri district police and administration. They left for their respective homes on Monday morning, August 31.
The workers, who hail from different districts of Assam, had travelled to Nepal for employment with a power grid company and were working at a hydroelectric project. A sudden surge of water reportedly swept through the area, forcing the workers to flee their workplace and seek refuge on a nearby hill.
Recounting the ordeal, one of the rescued workers said, “We were working at the powerhouse of a hydro project when the water suddenly came rushing in. We immediately went to the hilltop and stayed there for four days. The local police helped us with water and biscuits, and we survived only on those.”
He added, “Later, the police and officials took us to Kathmandu, where we stayed for two days before being brought back to India.”
According to the worker, a total of 13 people were present, of whom eight have now returned safely to Assam.
“We were 13 people in total. Eight of us have returned, but some of our colleagues are still missing. One of the workers disappeared directly from the powerhouse building within seconds,” he said.
According to the media reports, the missing workers are reportedly from Nagaon, Nalbari and Karbi Anglong. Rescue operations are continuing in the flood-affected areas of Nepal to trace the missing workers.