KATHMANDU: Two workers trapped inside a hydropower project tunnel in Nepal were rescued alive on Thursday, nearly 10 days after flash floods cut off access to the site, officials said.

The workers had been trapped inside the tunnel after heavy rains triggered flash floods and landslides in the area. Mud and floodwater reportedly blocked the tunnel, severing communication with the outside world and leaving the workers stranded in darkness.

One of those rescued was 30-year-old Sanjay Shah, a resident of Saptari district. He had been working in the control room of the hydropower project when the floods struck.

For days, rescue teams faced difficulties in reaching the trapped workers because of the accumulation of mud and water inside the tunnel. The rescue operation continued despite challenging conditions, with teams working to clear the blocked passages and establish access to the workers.

The survival of the two workers for about 10 days has been described as remarkable, given the conditions inside the tunnel.

Nepal has witnessed several incidents of flash floods and landslides during periods of intense rainfall, particularly in mountainous and hilly regions. Hydropower projects are especially vulnerable to such weather-related disruptions because of their location and extensive tunnel networks.

Authorities are continuing rescue and relief operations in areas affected by the recent floods and landslides, while efforts are also under way to assess damage to infrastructure.