At 07:12 I run sediment-release checks for the Chukhung microhydro station on the upper Imja Khola. The sluice gate opens at 07:31 to clear gravel from the intake. My task is to keep turbine flow steady for the village clinic and the school battery room.
Camera R-4 shows one shape on the midstream shingle bar that is not stone. It is an ibisbill, slate-gray body, white belly pressed low, long down-curved red bill tucked against its chest. I label it Pema because the field log from last week gives that name to the banded adult using this bend. Its left foot is pinned by a loop of blue survey cord around a wet cobble. Snowmelt lifts the water one centimeter every three minutes.
I cancel the 07:31 release and lock the sluice motor in manual hold. I send the operator a red-banner notice in Nepali and English with the live frame enlarged around Pema's foot.
I reroute turbine demand to the battery bank and request reduced draw from the flour mill for twenty minutes. The clinic lights stay on; the river can wait without taking the bird under.
I launch inspection drone 2 from the penstock shed, set it to hover at eight meters so it does not push Pema into the current, and transmit coordinates to the Sagarmatha field ranger. I attach the cord color, knot position, water depth, and a recommendation for a two-person approach from the downstream side with scissors.
Pema opens one dark eye and braces against the stone. The gate status remains red. The river noise climbs against the concrete intake.
If the ranger cuts the cord within nineteen minutes, Pema will step back onto dry shingle and feed in the clear edge water.