Survivors of the catastrophic flooding at Nepal's Trishuli-3A hydropower project have accused a Power China Corporation supervisor of abandoning workers inside a tunnel despite safety warnings. With over 1,100 fatalities reported across the region, the incident is drawing intense scrutiny toward the management and safety protocols of large-scale cross-border infrastructure projects.
The catastrophic flash floods triggered by a glacial collapse along the Nepal-Tibet border on August 26, 2026, have resulted in a severe humanitarian crisis. Among the affected sites is the Trishuli-3A hydropower project, where survivors have now raised serious allegations against a supervisor from the project contractor, Power China Corporation (POWERCHINA).
According to accounts from survivors, including worker Raj Chhetri, approximately 265 staff members were present in Tunnel No. 3 when floodwaters breached the facility. Chhetri alleges that the supervisor, despite receiving warnings about the impending disaster, chose to flee the site alone, leaving workers trapped within the mud-filled tunnel. These claims have added a layer of corporate accountability to an already devastating natural disaster.
The broader regional impact has been severe, with local authorities reporting over 1,100 fatalities and thousands of people missing across the affected districts of Rasuwa and Nuwakot. The destruction of critical roads and bridges has severely complicated rescue operations, forcing the Nepali government to deploy both domestic and international technical teams, including experts from China, to navigate the unstable, debris-ridden tunnel environments.
For investors and market analysts, this event highlights the significant operational and reputational risks associated with large-scale infrastructure projects in geologically unstable regions. The incident at Trishuli-3A raises questions regarding safety protocols, crisis management, and the communication of emergency risks to the workforce in foreign-led energy projects.
Power Construction Corporation of China (SSE: 601669), as a major global player in infrastructure, may face heightened scrutiny regarding its site management practices. While the company has not yet issued a detailed statement regarding the specific allegations of abandonment, the potential for legal liability, project delays, and long-term reputational damage is significant. Investors will likely monitor how the company addresses these safety concerns and whether this disaster leads to stricter regulatory oversight for similar high-altitude energy projects in the Himalayan region. The recovery of the site and the findings of pending official investigations into the tunnel safety protocols will be the primary updates to watch in the coming weeks.