Trapped in a devastating flood and landslide in Nepal's Rasuwa region, 21 Indian tourists cheated death through sheer willpower and mutual aid. A couple from Chennai shares how a simple saree and a timely delay became their lifelines.
- A group of 57 Indians was caught in severe floods and landslides in the Rasuwa region of Nepal.
- A mechanical delay (bus stuck in mud) and a vigilant local driver saved 21 lives.
- Women used their sarees as improvised ropes to pull others up a slippery mud slope.
The recent catastrophic floods in the mountainous terrains of Nepal have once again highlighted the fragility of human life against nature's fury. Amidst this chaos, Navu Kabir Das and his wife Vijaya Buvaneswari from Velachery, Chennai, emerged as survivors among 21 Indians who managed to escape death and return home. The group was traveling via a travel agency based in Kumbakonam.
The disaster struck while the group, spread across three buses, was traversing the scenic but treacherous roads of the Rasuwa district. According to the survivors, the tranquility was shattered in seconds by a deafening roar, falling boulders, and a torrent of mud and water that swept across the road. Vijaya Buvaneswari recalled the horror of seeing the bus behind them tilt precariously, signaling the onset of a massive landslide.
Why This Matters
BozokMedia analysis shows that this incident highlights the critical importance of local knowledge and immediate reaction during natural disasters in Himalayan regions. The fact that a local driver recognized the signs of a flash flood saved dozens of lives, proving that human intuition and quick decision-making are often the only defenses when early warning systems fail in remote terrains.
A twist of fate played a pivotal role in their survival. The bus carrying the couple had become stuck in the mud shortly before the flood hit. Those few minutes of delay for repairs kept them away from the epicenter of the impact. The local driver, well-versed in the region's propensity for landslides, immediately ordered everyone to evacuate the vehicle and scramble toward higher ground.
"In Himalayan terrains, every second counts during a flash flood; immediate evacuation to higher elevations is the only viable survival strategy."
The most poignant part of the rescue was the solidarity among the women. Climbing a slope covered in thick silt and mud was nearly impossible. Vijaya describes slipping multiple times, only to be saved by her relative, Poongodi, who had already reached the top. Poongodi took off her saree and lowered it as a rope, allowing others to pull themselves up. In one instance, a woman was saved by tying a saree around her waist and being hauled up by the group.
Upon reaching safety, the survivors looked back to see a scene of total devastation. While their bus remained intact, several vehicles ahead of them were overturned, with some reduced to mere debris. They eventually reached a disaster relief center and contacted the government through a relative working in the Secretariat to confirm their safety.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q1: How many Indian tourists were in the group and how many survived?
A: A total of 57 Indian tourists were traveling in three buses; 21 of them survived and returned to Chennai.
Q2: How were sarees used during the rescue operation?
A: Due to the lack of grip on the muddy slope, women used their sarees as improvised ropes to pull other stranded passengers to safety.
