Kailash Mansarovar pilgrims narrowly escape Nepal floods

Kailash Mansarovar Yatra pilgrims recall how they narrowly escaped Nepal floods

MUMBAI: 'Had we been there the following day, we too would have been trapped' said a Kailash Mansarovar pilgrim recalled after returning from Nepal, describing how his group narrowly escaped the devastating floods. Speaking to the media, pilgrim Bajranga Laxman said the group had left on August 16 and was returning after completing the pilgrimage. "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," pilgrim Bajranga Laxman said. Another pilgrim, Sneha Pandey, said they learnt about the disaster while making their way back after completing their parikrama. "Fortunately, we left here on the 16th, and while returning after completing our parikrama, we learned about what had happened," Pandey said. She also recalled the difficult conditions they faced during the journey, saying Saga town was deserted and there was no internet access. The lack of communication left their families in India worried about their safety. "Saga, which is a small town, was completely deserted, and we couldn't access the internet, so our families back home were extremely worried," she said. The pilgrims' account comes as Nepal continues to deal with the aftermath of devastating flash floods in the Rasuwa Bhote Koshi region. Nepal's National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Authority (NDRRMA), in its latest update, said the death toll had reached 675, while 2,418 people remained missing or out of contact. Chitwan reported the highest number of deaths, with 246 bodies recovered. Nawalparasi East recorded 165 deaths, followed by Nawalparasi West with 63, Gorkha with 57, Nuwakot with 51, Dhading with 45, Tanahun with 35 and Rasuwa with 13. The NDRRMA said those missing included 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. Air and ground teams have rescued 7,514 people so far, while helicopters have carried out 261 sorties.

India continues assistance to Nepal

India has continued to support Nepal's relief and rescue efforts following the disaster. Union Minister of State for External Affairs Kirti Vardhan Singh said India was closely monitoring the situation and providing all possible assistance. He said the Indian Embassy in Nepal had activated a 24-hour helpline following the tragedy to monitor developments and coordinate support. MEA spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal said a specialised Indian technical team had carried out on-site reconnaissance of hydropower tunnels affected by the flash floods to help with search and rescue operations. Nepal Foreign Minister Shisir Khanal also thanked countries for their assistance, particularly India. He said Nepal had received more than 57 tonnes of relief material from India.