NEW YORK (AP) — For those stranded by a flood, survival depends on many factors including access to oxygen, food and water.
Catastrophic flooding along the Nepal-China border has killed hundreds and left thousands more missing. On Monday, rescuers in Nepal raced to free hundreds of workers thought to be trapped in hydropower site tunnels that were buried in mud.
Experts say the first 72 hours are critical as the chances of survival drop without access to clean water.
One important aspect is whether the tunnels had emergency protocols in case of an outage or natural disaster, said disaster epidemiologist Jennifer Horney with the University of Delaware.
If so, workers could have been trained on the location of exits. But the force of the flooding could mean mud may be caked over such exits, rendering rescue plans difficult, Horney said.
For the hundreds trapped, access to clean drinking water is critical and it's unclear whether any emergency supplies were already stocked in the tunnels.
“There just really wouldn’t be a way to to go much further than the three days without safe, drinkable water,” Horney said.
Access to breathable air is another key to survival. At least one expert said that some workers could have access to oxygen — but six days after the floods, suffocation worries grow.
“These tunnels are big enough to drive trucks through,” said Jakob Steiner, a geoscientist at the University of Graz in Austria based in Dhaka, Bangladesh. “And from what we understand, they have managed to get oxygen to some of those stuck inside and are trying to rescue them now. It’s a race for time, though, as people need food and water.”
Beyond that, the mental effects of such isolation can also take a toll.
Other important considerations include “whether there are indications of serious injuries" and whether there's a safe way to deliver water and essential supplies while rescue operations proceed, according to Thomas Chandler, director of Columbia University's National Center for Disaster Preparedness.
He cited a Himalayan tunnel collapse from 2023 caused by a landslide, where 41 Indian workers were rescued after being trapped for 17 days. They were provided food, water and oxygen through pipes.
The climate inside the tunnels may also play a role. If it's hot and humid, people could get dehydrated faster. Those who are rescued may be very weak, so supportive care is important for both physical and mental impacts, according to disaster experts.
Associated Press journalists Shristi Kafle in Kathmandu and Huizhong Wu in Bangkok contributed to this report.
The Associated Press Health and Science Department receives support from the Howard Hughes Medical Institute’s Science and Educational Media Group and the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation. The AP is solely responsible for all content.
Nepal's paramilitary force personnel carry the body of a flash flood victim for burial at a mass burial site in Chitwan, Nepal, Monday, Aug. 31, 2026. (AP Photo/Dar Yasin)
STAMFORD, Conn.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Sep 1, 2026--
JBL today introduced JBL Cove, a whole-home Wi‑Fi audio system designed to make multi-room music listening simple. The new range includes three wireless speakers that can operate individually, as stereo pairs, or as part of a connected home audio system controlled through the JBL One app. JBL Cove combines room-filling JBL sound, Dolby Atmos ® support on select models and flexible room-by-room listening without requiring users to constantly regroup or reset speakers.
This press release features multimedia. View the full release here: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20260831850720/en/
Fill every room with powerful JBL sound
The JBL Cove series features three Wi-Fi speakers designed to transform your space into an immersive listening experience.
Each speaker performs beautifully on its own, as a stereo pair, or as part of a larger multi-room audio system.
Place the speakers in any room, turn the volume up, and let JBL take care of the sound. JBL’s proprietary Constant Sound Field, automatic self-tuning, and AI Sound Boost technologies work to optimize performance based on where and how you listen.
“JBL has spent decades delivering incredible sound experiences wherever people are. Today, we’re setting a new benchmark for the future of JBL home audio. JBL Cove marks an important step in our ambition to become a leading force in home audio, combining powerful JBL Legendary Sound with the simplicity, flexibility and outstanding value that will help even more people discover how simple it is to have great sound throughout the home,” said Carsten Olesen, President, Consumer Audio at HARMAN.
A system that flows with you
Setting up a home audio system should be easy. Using it should be even easier.
JBL Cove is designed to make everyday listening effortless. Play music throughout the house by creating a group on the JBL One app. Want to listen in just one room? Simply start streaming there. No ungrouping. No resetting speakers. No interruptions.
JBL Cove’s flexible grouping puts you in charge.
Cove speakers also work seamlessly with JBL Bar Series MK2 soundbars*, making it easy to expand from music listening to immersive home theater experiences within the same connected system. Through the JBL One app, JBL Cove speakers** can be added to the soundbar as the rear channels for a fully immersive Dolby Atmos ® home theater set up.
And with JBL’s Music Follows Me feature, your playlist or TV audio moves with you. Simply press and hold the Moment button and your music flows with you, no phone or app required.
Availability and pricing
JBL Cove speakers will be available in white and black at JBL.com from September 13, 2026, JBL Cove M1 for $229.95, JBL Cove P1 for $399.95, and JBL Cove X1 for $449.95.
KEY FEATURES
FAQ
What is JBL Cove?
JBL Cove is JBL’s new whole-home audio system that allows music to be played across multiple rooms using Wi-Fi-connected speakers.
What makes JBL Cove different from other whole-home audio systems?
JBL Cove combines whole-home wireless audio, room-by-room listening control, Dolby Atmos ® support on select models, automatic sound optimization technologies, and integration with compatible JBL Bar Series soundbars. The system is easy to set-up, simple to use, and is designed to provide a connected audio ecosystem for music, entertainment, and home theater listening throughout the home.
How easy to use and set-up is JBL Cove?
JBL Cove is the easiest whole-home audio system to set-up and use. There is no account needed during the 3-step set-up and the Moment button enables phone-free, flexible whole-home listening.
How does JBL Cove work?
JBL Cove speakers connect through Wi-Fi and are managed through the JBL One app, allowing users to group rooms, stream music, and customize listening experiences.
Can JBL Cove work with JBL soundbars?
Yes. JBL Cove works with compatible JBL Bar Series MK2 soundbars to create expanded home audio and home theatre experiences.
Does JBL Cove support Dolby Atmos ®?
Yes. JBL Cove P1 and JBL Cove X1 both support Dolby Atmos ® audio.
Which music services are supported?
JBL Cove supports Spotify Connect, Tidal Connect, Qobuz Connect, AirPlay 2, Google Cast, Roon Ready, Bluetooth and Wi-Fi streaming.
How does JBL Cove differ from traditional Bluetooth speakers?
Wi-Fi speakers like JBL Cove connect through the home network rather than pairing directly to a single device, and this underpins their main advantages over Bluetooth products. JBL Cove provides stable playback across the entire home, continuing uninterrupted even when the source phone leaves the room or takes a call. Multiple speakers can be grouped to play in sync across rooms or stream different music to each. The greater bandwidth of Wi-Fi also allows high-resolution, lossless audio, and content streams directly from services such as Spotify and Tidal, removing the phone from the chain entirely.
About JBL
For over 80 years, JBL has shaped life’s most memorable moments at the intersection of music, lifestyle, gaming and sports. JBL elevates listening experiences with superior audio quality and product designs that encourage individuality and self-expression. With unmatched professional credentials and industry-leading innovation, JBL is a trailblazer in the audio industry because of passionate and talented engineers and designers around the globe. JBL Pro Sound is the foremost technology pushing culture forward through major pop culture events and partnerships with the world’s top talent across music, sports and esports.
Courtesy of JBL
