Survivors in Nepal are describing the catastrophic floods as a "tsunami-like" event that swept through villages and towns along the Bhote Koshi and Trishuli rivers. Raju Budhathoki, a customs agent, recounted feeling the mountain shake and seeing houses in the Timure market disappear within seconds. He managed to reach a forest 500 meters uphill, observing bodies scattered in the floodwaters and his once-beautiful town reduced to ruins. Another survivor, Bibek Kumal, narrowly escaped by clinging to a mango tree after being swept away by the surging waters.
The floods, suspected to be caused by a glacial collapse in Tibet, have resulted in a significant loss of life and widespread destruction. As of Thursday evening, police and rescue teams had recovered the bodies of 389 people, with hundreds still missing. Earlier reports indicated at least 270 confirmed deaths and 1,400 missing persons across Nepal and Tibet. The disaster destroyed nearly all homes along the riverbanks, with one report stating that only one of approximately 150 houses along the Trishuli River remained intact. Even in an old-age care home, up to seven elderly residents were buried by a landslide while attempting to flee.
The scale of the destruction is immense, impacting critical infrastructure. The Prime Minister's Office reported that 19 vehicle bridges and 43 kilometers of highway connecting lower regions to the affected areas were swept away. Solar power stations and coffee farms were also wiped out. Many survivors, like Omkar Joshi, described witnessing almost 90% of Timure's population being "swallowed by silt." While grateful for their survival, many are grappling with the trauma of losing loved ones, colleagues, and their entire communities.
Rescue efforts are ongoing, with helicopters airlifting survivors to safety and search operations continuing for the missing. Anxious relatives gathered at centers like the Nepali Army Training Centre in Battar, Nuwakot, and outside Bidur's football ground, hoping for news of their loved ones. Nepali Army helicopters were instrumental in rescuing stranded individuals, dropping noodles for those who spent the night in forests before being airlifted to safety. The prime minister of Nepal has called for national unity and support for the relief and rescue campaign, with India also pledging humanitarian assistance.
