Kathmandu— Family members of Sanjay Sah, a 31-year-old engineer working at the Trishuli-3A Hydropower Project, experienced a dramatic shift from despair to joy when they received news of his rescue on Friday, September 5, after he had been missing for nine days following a devastating flood in the Bhotekoshi River in Rasuwa on August 26.

Rescue at 9:30 am

The Sah family in Kushaha, Tilathi Koiladi Rural Municipality-4, had been gripped by anxiety and uncertainty until a sudden message arrived at exactly 9:30 am on Friday, September 5, announcing that Sanjay Sah had been rescued alive from a tunnel of the Trishuli-3A Hydropower Project by a Nepali Army team.

The atmosphere in the home shifted instantly from silence to an outpouring of tears, which were described as tears of joy rather than sorrow, as the family learned their loved one had been found after nine days of missing.

Sanjay, the elder of two sons, had been out of contact since the August 26 flood, which cut off communication with the engineer working at the hydropower project under the Nepal Electricity Authority.

Family's Emotional Journey

Sanjay's mother, Kapur Devi Sah, father Ramphal Sah, and younger brother Sanjeev Sah were overwhelmed by the news and immediately left for Kathmandu to reunite with him, having been unable to contain their emotions without seeing him in person.

Family member Sudha Sah recounted that hope had nearly faded until the message arrived from Sanjay's brother-in-law, Dev Sah, stating his rescue. "When we heard the news, everyone in the house cried, but those were tears of happiness," she said.

Sanjay's wife, Laxmi Kumari Sah, who had been staying at her maternal home in Kataiya, Rupani Rural Municipality-3, also experienced indescribable joy upon learning of his rescue, after having been without contact for days.

Background of the Incident

Sanjay Sah, a 31-year-old engineer with the Nepal Electricity Authority, had been working at the Trishuli-3A Hydropower Project for three years. He had a two-and-a-half-year-old daughter, and his family had been deeply worried since he lost contact on August 26.

He had spoken to his family around 7 am that day before the devastating flood in the Bhotekoshi River in Rasuwa cut off all communication. The family had endured nine days of painful waiting, with no information about his condition.

The rescue came after a team from the Nepali Army located him in a tunnel at the hydropower project site, providing a lifeline for the family who had been holding onto hope against all odds.

The family is now awaiting further details about Sanjay's condition and plans for his return home.

(With inputs from RN)

Originally published on abcnews.com.np.