Water gushed like tsunami; 20-minute wait saved lives: Keralites recount narrow escape in Nepal

Kochi, Kerala: A 36-member group from Kerala stranded during flash floods in Nepal returned to Kochi early Sunday, recounting how a brief temple stop may have saved their lives.

The group travelled nearly 100 km from the Nepal border before crossing into India and reaching Gorakhpur airport. From there, they returned to Kerala on two separate flights, arriving at Kochi airport in the early hours of Sunday.

For several members, the journey back was marked by relief after what they described as a frightening experience in disaster-hit Nepal.

‘That was the golden hour’

Rajini, one of the travellers, said the group had been on its way to their next destination when the roads were suddenly closed.

“It was an adventurous trip, and we were lucky. We were moving for our next visit, but suddenly the roads were closed. Later we realised about the disaster which happened about 500 metres away from us. The disaster was a horrifying sight.”

The group had stopped at a temple for about 20 minutes before continuing their journey. That brief halt proved crucial, Rajini recalled.

“We stopped at a temple for 20 minutes, which was the golden hour; the bridge we were supposed to cross was washed away.”

Rajini said the group considered themselves fortunate to have escaped the disaster.

“We thank god for our lives.”

‘Water was gushing like a tsunami’

Another pilgrim, Vineeth Kumar, recalled seeing the floodwaters from a distance.

“About 500-600 meters away, we saw water gushing out like a tsunami,”

Vineeth was among the passengers who returned to Kochi after being stranded during the disaster.

The sudden flooding disrupted the group's travel plans and left them facing difficulties as they tried to find a safe route back to India.

‘It was a horrendous experience’

Pradeep Kumar said the disaster occurred while the group was midway through its trip during the Onam period.

“The disaster happened on the Onam days. We were in the middle of the trip. It was a horrendous experience. We were lucky to escape this disaster.”

He said the travel agency helped the group return safely to India.

“We faced some difficulties finding food at first. But the agency people helped us to move to a safe place later that day.”

The accounts of the returning travellers came as efforts continued to trace and assist other Keralites who were in Nepal when the flash floods struck.

16 Keralites return, says Norka

The Non-Resident Keralites Affairs (NORKA) department under the state government said on Saturday that 16 Keralites had returned home, including Rineeth Mohan, a native of Piravom in Ernakulam, who had earlier been among those with whom communication had not been possible.

According to Norka, authorities have confirmed that 45 people who contacted its help desks are safe. They are staying safely either in Nepal or at other locations in India, while arrangements for their return are continuing, Norka said.

Rineeth had travelled to Nepal for tourism on August 23 and was near Pokhara when the floods occurred. His family had informed him about the disaster, following which he began his journey back home.

He could not be contacted after losing his phone while travelling towards Delhi. He later boarded a train from Delhi to Kerala on August 27 and reached home on Saturday afternoon.

A 14-member group from Kochi was also among those who reached Kerala, according to Norka.

Shruthi Shikhamani, who had travelled from Kakkanad in Kochi for a Kailash Mansarovar pilgrimage, also returned. She was in Kathmandu when the floods occurred.

Norka said information was still awaited on seven people, including four people from Kerala who hold Australian citizenship. Their details have been shared with the Ministry of External Affairs.