Kathmandu, 11 August (H.S.):

A landslide struck the powerhouse of the Gharkhola Hydropower Project at Pokharebagar in Annapurna Rural Municipality of Nepal’s Myagdi district on Tuesday morning, leaving one person missing and another injured.

The missing person has been identified as 55-year-old Deepak Baruwal, a resident of Annapurna, who was working at the powerhouse when the landslide occurred. Another worker, 31-year-old Surendra Bik of Gauriganga Municipality, sustained injuries in the incident.

According to Police Inspector Sagar Timilsina, teams comprising personnel from the Nepal Police, Nepali Army and Armed Police Force, along with local representatives and residents, have been deployed to search for Baruwal.

Surendra Bik was safely rescued from the debris and provided first aid before being referred to the Provincial Hospital in Beni for further treatment.

According to reports, debris and rocks from the hillside above the powerhouse fell onto the facility in the morning, triggering the landslide.

The landslide damaged equipment installed at the powerhouse of the 14-MW Gharkhola Hydropower Project, which is being promoted by Myagdi Hydropower. Due to the damage to the equipment, electricity generation at the project has been completely halted.

Hindusthan Samachar / Jun Sarkar