Kathmandu, Sept. 5 -- India and Nepal rescue teams are continuing a rescue mission at the Chilime tunnel, removing heavy debris, water and mud from inside the tunnel, Ambassador of India to Nepal Naveen Srivastava said on Saturday.

In a post on X, Srivastava said, "The India & Nepal rescue team continue to remove heavy debris, water & mud, which in the interior has reached close to the roof of the Chilime tunnel."

He said work was also underway to construct an access road from nearby Syafrubesi to the tunnel portal to facilitate the rescue operation. He further elaborated that, given the "difficult terrain" and "narrow valley", heavy helicopter usage is not possible.

"This would allow heavy machinery to be taken deep in the tunnel. In ...