6 days ago
Bengali Actors Stranded Safely Amid Nepal’s Deadly Flash Floods
Actors Kharaj Mukherjee and Rajatabha Dutta are stuck in Nepal after severe floods disrupted travel.
Kharaj went there with his wife Pratibha and a Bangladeshi film crew.
Their families said the actors and Pratibha were safe.
Heavy rain also interrupted the film shoot.
Roads, bridges and other infrastructure were damaged, making travel difficult.
Their flight plans were disrupted, so they planned to travel by road to Gorakhpur and then fly to Kolkata.
Reports gave different numbers for deaths and missing tourists.
Experts said an ice-and-rock avalanche from a glacier likely helped cause one major flash flood.
Actor Manasi Parekh separately said she narrowly avoided the disaster-hit Gyirong area while travelling in China.
Kharaj Mukherjee, his wife Pratibha and actor Rajatabha Dutta were stranded in Nepal but reported safe.
The group travelled to Nepal on August 20 for a Bangladeshi film shoot with family, friends and production staff.
Flooding, heavy rain and damaged transport routes disrupted filming and prevented the group’s planned return flight.
The group planned to travel by road to Gorakhpur, Uttar Pradesh, before flying to Kolkata.
Reports differed on the disaster’s toll, citing 95 or 177 deaths and varying numbers of missing tourists.
- Who
- Bengali actors Kharaj Mukherjee and Rajatabha Dutta, Mukherjee’s wife Pratibha, and members of a Bangladeshi film production team.
- What
- The group was stranded in Nepal after flash floods disrupted filming and transport, while family members reported them safe.
- Where
- Nepal, including the group’s reported location in Pokhara and the flood-affected Lhende Khola-Bhotekoshi River area; they planned to travel through Gorakhpur to Kolkata.
- When
- Mukherjee and Pratibha travelled to Nepal on August 20; the reports were published on August 27 or Thursday.
- Why
- Heavy rain and flash floods damaged roads, bridges and other infrastructure and disrupted flights and other transport.
Lower Reported Figures
Higher Reported Figures
Death toll
Lower Reported Figures
One report said at least 95 people had been killed in the flash floods.
Higher Reported Figures
Other reports said the death toll had risen to 177.
Missing tourists
Lower Reported Figures
One report cited 384 missing tourists, including 291 international visitors.
Higher Reported Figures
Other reports cited thousands of missing people, including 300 Indian tourists.
Key facts
- Travel date
- Kharaj Mukherjee and Pratibha travelled to Nepal on August 20 for a Bangladeshi film shoot.
- Safety status
- Mukherjee contacted his family by phone and said he, his wife and the group were safe; Rajatabha Dutta was also reported safe.
- Planned route home
- The group planned to travel by road to Gorakhpur in Uttar Pradesh and then fly to Kolkata.
- Reported death toll
- Reports cited either at least 95 deaths or a toll of 177 in the Nepal floods.
- Missing tourists
- One report cited 384 missing tourists, including 291 visitors from countries including India, the United States, the United Kingdom and Malaysia; other reports cited thousands missing, including 300 Indian tourists.
- Likely flood trigger
- The International Centre for Integrated Mountain Development and a disaster specialist said an ice-and-rock avalanche from a glacier likely triggered a major flash flood.
- Worst-affected area
- The Lhende Khola, a tributary of the Bhotekoshi River, was among the areas most severely affected.
Quotes
Tamaghna Mukherjee
Son of Kharaj Mukherjee and Pratibha
“Both of them were in Nepal for their shooting. Many messages from fans and media have reached me about how they are doing. I want to tell everyone that both my mother and father are out of danger. I have spoken to them this morning. They were in Pokhara for the shoot, and the place where the tragedy happened was quite far away. Their return flight from Pokhara was delayed. Even the shoot was disrupted because of the floods.”
indianexpress.com
“The Lhende Khola has flooded twice in fourteen months, this time triggered by an ice rock avalanche from a glacier on the Nepal side that blocked the river and released a sudden surge downstream.”
NDTV
A family member of Kharaj Mukherjee
A relative who provided an update on Mukherjee’s safety
“Despite the challenging circumstances, Mukherjee has assured us over the phone that they are safe.”
telegraphindia.com
Sources
Bengali Actor Kharaj Mukherjee, Wife Stranded In Nepal Amid Devastating Floods
Bengali Actors Kharaj Mukherjee, Rajatabha Dutta Stranded in Nepal Amid Deadly Floods
Actor Kharaj Mukherjee, wife stuck in flood-hit Nepal
Actor Kharaj Mukherjee and wife Pratibha stuck in flood-hit Nepal while shooting for Bangladeshi production
Nepal floods: Bengali actor Kharaj Mukherjee stranded; Manasi Parekh recounts narrow escape
Kharaj Mukherjee, wife stranded in Nepal amid devastating flash floods; both safe - Telegraph India
Popular Bengali actor Kharaj Mukherjee, wife stuck in flood-hit Nepal
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