The South Korean government’s ground search team, dispatched to search for nine Korean nationals missing after massive flooding in Nepal, survey the area in Rasuwa district on Wednesday (local time). (Yonhap)
The South Korean government’s ground search team, dispatched to search for nine Korean nationals missing after massive flooding in Nepal, survey the area in Rasuwa district on Wednesday (local time). (Yonhap)

South Korea’s six-member ground search team is staying near the flood-hit Upper Trishuli-1 hydropower plant construction site in Nepal, where nine Korean workers went missing Aug. 26.

As of Wednesday afternoon, the team was at Dhunche, about 2 kilometers from the hydropower plant’s weir, where one of the nine workers is believed to have been when the flash flood struck.

Using drones, the team surveyed the area around the weir with assistance from Nepali authorities. A helicopter was used to search the powerhouse and a camp about 10 kilometers downstream, where the other missing workers had been staying.

The ground search team originally consisted of nine members, but three returned to Kathmandu to closely analyze the drone and helicopter footage for any signs of the missing workers. The remaining six will stay in the area and continue search operations.

It is part of an earlier South Korean government response effort. A newly dispatched 44-member team arrived in Nepal early Wednesday aboard a military aircraft, bringing five search dogs and specialized equipment to join the ongoing search and rescue operations.

Members of a ground search team travel through Ramche, Rasuwa district, Nepal, on Wednesday, heading toward the flood-hit Upper Trishuli-1 (UT-1) hydropower plant construction site. (Yonhap)
Members of a ground search team travel through Ramche, Rasuwa district, Nepal, on Wednesday, heading toward the flood-hit Upper Trishuli-1 (UT-1) hydropower plant construction site. (Yonhap)
Members of a ground search team travel through Ramche, Rasuwa district, Nepal, on Wednesday, heading toward the flood-hit Upper Trishuli-1 (UT-1) hydropower plant construction site. (Yonhap)
Members of a ground search team travel through Ramche, Rasuwa district, Nepal, on Wednesday, heading toward the flood-hit Upper Trishuli-1 (UT-1) hydropower plant construction site. (Yonhap)
The Upper Trishuli-1 hydropower plant construction site in Rasuwa district, Nepal, is covered in mud and debris on Tuesday. (Yonhap)
The Upper Trishuli-1 hydropower plant construction site in Rasuwa district, Nepal, is covered in mud and debris on Tuesday. (Yonhap)

The office area of the Upper Trishuli-1 (UT-1) hydropower plant construction site in Rasuwa district, Nepal, where eight of the nine missing Korean workers were believed to have been before the flood struck, is seen covered in mud and debris on Tuesday. (Yonhap)
The office area of the Upper Trishuli-1 (UT-1) hydropower plant construction site in Rasuwa district, Nepal, where eight of the nine missing Korean workers were believed to have been before the flood struck, is seen covered in mud and debris on Tuesday. (Yonhap)
A closer view of the Upper Trishuli-1 (UT-1) hydropower plant construction site in Rasuwa district, Nepal. This image was provided by the South Korean government’s rapid response team following a helicopter search of the area with Nepali authorities on Tuesday. (Yonhap)
A closer view of the Upper Trishuli-1 (UT-1) hydropower plant construction site in Rasuwa district, Nepal. This image was provided by the South Korean government’s rapid response team following a helicopter search of the area with Nepali authorities on Tuesday. (Yonhap)
A closer view of the Upper Trishuli-1 (UT-1) hydropower plant construction site in Rasuwa district, Nepal. This image was provided by the South Korean government’s rapid response team following a helicopter search of the area with Nepali authorities on Tuesday. (Yonhap)
A closer view of the Upper Trishuli-1 (UT-1) hydropower plant construction site in Rasuwa district, Nepal. This image was provided by the South Korean government’s rapid response team following a helicopter search of the area with Nepali authorities on Tuesday. (Yonhap)

milaya@heraldcorp.com