Mumbai Pilgrims Narrowly Escape Deadly Nepal Floods During Kailash Mansarovar Yatra
Kailash Mansarovar pilgrims returning to Mumbai have recounted how their group narrowly escaped the devastating flash floods that recently struck Nepal, sharing details of difficult travel conditions and communication blackouts.
Speaking after returning from the pilgrimage, pilgrim Bajranga Laxman explained that the group had set out on August 16 and was on its way back after completing the journey when the disaster unfolded.
"We left from here on the 16th and are returning today. We were at a safe distance from the floods. Had we been there the following day, we too would have been trapped. By God's grace, we were spared," Laxman said.
Another pilgrim, Sneha Pandey, said the group learned about the disaster only while making their way back following their parikrama. She described challenging circumstances along the route, noting that the small town of Saga was completely deserted and lacked internet connectivity, which caused deep concern for their families back home in India.
The accounts from the returning pilgrims come as Nepal grapples with the aftermath of massive flash floods in the Rasuwa Bhote Koshi region. According to Nepal's National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Authority (NDRRMA), the disaster has claimed 675 lives, while 2,418 people remain missing or out of contact.
Chitwan reported the highest casualty count with 246 bodies recovered. Fatalities were also recorded across several other districts, including Nawalparasi East with 165 deaths, Nawalparasi West with 63, Gorkha with 57, Nuwakot with 51, Dhading with 45, Tanahun with 35, and Rasuwa with 13.
Officials reported that the missing individuals include 933 workers from underground hydropower projects, 589 foreign nationals, and 127 Nepalis travelling with foreign tourists. Around 18,708 security personnel have been deployed for search, rescue, and relief operations, with ground and air teams rescuing 7,514 people and helicopters carrying out 261 sorties.
In response to the crisis, India has extended ongoing assistance. Union Minister of State for External Affairs Kirti Vardhan Singh confirmed that the Indian Embassy in Nepal activated a 24-hour helpline to coordinate support. MEA spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal stated that a specialised Indian technical team carried out on-site reconnaissance of affected hydropower tunnels to aid search operations. Nepal Foreign Minister Shisir Khanal noted that Nepal has received more than 57 tonnes of relief material from India.
