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Rescued Indian pilgrims recount terrifying moments during Nepal’s flash floods, describing narrow escapes, rising waters and desperate climbs to safety.
‘Very Serious Situation, God Helped Me’: Rescued Indian Pilgrim Recounts Nepal Flood Ordeal (Photo: Reuters)
For the Indian pilgrims caught in Nepal’s devastating flash floods, survival came down to moments of luck, quick decisions and, as some survivors described it, divine intervention.
One of the 21 Indian pilgrims from Tamil Nadu rescued after being caught in the floods recalled how the waters came within just 100 metres of him. The pilgrim, who is from Visakhapatnam in Andhra Pradesh, described the situation as “very serious” and said, “God helped me” survive the crisis.
The 21 pilgrims, who had travelled for the Kailash Mansarovar Yatra, were rescued by the Nepal Army and brought back to Kathmandu before returning to India. External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar met the group after their arrival and said the pilgrims expressed gratitude to the Nepal Army for rescuing them from what he described as a “very difficult place.”
‘The Flood Was Just 100 Metres From Me’
Recalling his experience, the Visakhapatnam pilgrim said the floodwaters came dangerously close to him.
“Very serious situation there. Around 250 Indians are missing. The flood was just 100 metres from me. God helped me. So, I am happy.”
He also thanked Andhra Pradesh leaders for reaching out to him during the crisis, saying Minister Nara Lokesh and the MLA from his constituency had spoken to him.
‘Everything In Front Of Us Was Destroyed’
For Karnataka pilgrim Mallinath Kolkundi, the warning came in the form of a deafening roar.
Travelling towards the Nepal-Tibet border with his son-in-law, Kolkundi said their vehicle was around 200 metres from the flood zone when the driver suddenly turned towards higher ground.
“We heard a deafening roar, and within seconds… everything in front of us was destroyed.”
He said two buses ahead of them were swept away in the floodwaters. The hotel where they had stayed and the immigration office they were supposed to visit were also destroyed.
“By God’s grace, we survived,” he said.
A Tea Break That May Have Saved 28 Pilgrims
Another group from Visakhapatnam had what appeared to be an unexpected stroke of luck.
Garudappal Naidu, whose family was among a group of 28 pilgrims travelling for the Kailash Mansarovar Yatra, said a series of delays had slowed their journey. The group had spent additional time in Kathmandu because of visa delays and later stopped on the way to use the restroom and have tea.
When their vehicle was around 50 to 100 metres from the China border bridge, a landslide suddenly came down with great force. A tempo driver travelling in the opposite direction alerted them, after which their bus was moved towards higher ground.
Survivors Recount Moments Of Fear And Relief
Across the accounts of the rescued pilgrims, the same picture emerges: the disaster unfolded with little warning, leaving travellers with only moments to react.
For some, a sudden turn by a bus driver made the difference. For others, climbing to higher ground offered a way out. And for the Visakhapatnam pilgrim, the floodwaters came within 100 metres before he escaped.
The 21 Tamil Nadu pilgrims were among those rescued as Indian and Nepalese authorities continued efforts to locate people stranded or uncontactable in the flood-hit areas. S. Jaishankar said around 85 Indians had been rescued from various locations, while more than 300 remained uncontactable at the time of his statement.
Quick Answers
Ask News18As of August 28, 2026, 320 Indian nationals remain missing or uncontactable following flash floods in Nepal. Additionally, around 100 persons of Indian origin are also yet to be reached. These figures are considered fluid as authorities work to reconcile multiple lists of missing people.
Ask News18August 28, 2026, 8:42 PM IST
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