Queensland couple recounts escape from Nepal glacier flood that destroyed family home
Quick Look
A Queensland couple from Bundaberg described their traumatic escape after a collapsed glacier triggered catastrophic flooding in Betrawati, Nepal, on August 26, destroying Pramila Dangol's childhood home and leaving them searching for missing extended family members.
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Why It Matters
The couple was visiting family in Nepal for ceremonies and had taken their three-year-old daughter to the country for the first time. Pramila Dangol was born and raised in Betrawati, where her family home was destroyed by the flood.
A Queensland couple has told of their traumatic escape after being caught in the inland tsunami in Nepal, where they were on a family holiday.
Pramila Dangol and Clinton Baker, from Bundaberg, were visiting family with their three-year-old daughter when a collapsed glacier caused catastrophic flooding in Betrawati on August 26.
They said the village was given 15 minutes' warning before the wall of water struck.
"When it hit the buildings, it just blew up," Mr Baker said.
"It was pretty traumatic for me, and us, and everyone else."
The family ran up a mountain, Mr Baker carrying his daughter, Prammisha, to safety.
"He was strong and ran quick," Ms Dangol said.
"I couldn't believe it," Mr Baker said.
"At the time, you heard the sound, the rumbling through the ground."
From the mountain, they watched as the buildings and people below them were swallowed by the wave of water and debris.
People could be seen in the distance clambering onto the rooftops of buildings "three and four storeys" high.
"The waves are higher than the building itself," Mr Baker said.
Ms Dangol's family home, where she was born and grew up, was washed away.
"Nothing left, yeah," she said through tears.
"In that house, I had Mum, Dad, you know, the memories, a lot of our childhood photos, everything."
More than a week after the disaster, they are still searching for many of her extended family.
"I've been posting on Facebook every day," Ms Dangol said.
"We know that no-one [is] alive, but at least we can find the dead bodies."
The couple, who own a restaurant in Bundaberg, had travelled to Nepal for family ceremonies and it was the first time they had taken their daughter to the country.
"I wanted her [Prammisha] to [see] where I spent [my] childhood," Ms Dangol said.
"I used to go to the river for swimming when I was [in] primary and my high school time. That was a very good time there."
Mr Baker said he was "still shaken up" and was anxious to get back to Australia, but trying to remain positive.
"Just don't take life for granted," he said.
"I'm just trying to stay strong … can't wait to get home."
Open Questions
- How many people were killed or injured in the flood?
- What is the current status of search and rescue operations?
- What assistance is being provided to affected families?
- Are there any warnings about further glacial instability in the region?
