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Nepal Flood Survivor Endures 11 Days Beneath Rubble

Nepal Flood Survivor Endures 11 Days Beneath Rubble
Nepal flood survivor trapped for 11 days: How Chandika Kumari Shrestha defied medical odds, experts explain · wionews.com

Chandika Kumari Shrestha was trapped under the remains of her home in Nepal.

She stayed there for 11 days before being rescued.

A small pocket of air may have helped her keep breathing.

Experts said having some moisture or water was also very important.

The body can use stored fat and muscle when there is no food.

Staying still can help save energy.

Being trapped for so long can badly harm the body.

A psychologist said hope, decision-making, and the desire to survive may also help people endure extreme situations.

Key facts

Survivor
Chandika Kumari Shrestha
Duration trapped
11 days
Location
Betrawati village, Nepal
Disaster
Glacial collapse and ice-rock avalanche near Nepal’s border with Tibet
Reported deaths
More than 1,300
Key survival factors
Breathable air, moisture or water, protection from trauma, and limited movement
Major medical risks
Dehydration, low blood pressure, acute kidney injury, infections, and muscle damage

Quotes

Dr Vineeta Singh Tandon

Internal medicine specialist interviewed about the physiological demands of prolonged entrapment.

“Humans have an innate drive to survive, and from a psychophysiological standpoint, the mind-body connection is well established. We often hear stories of individuals overcoming natural disasters and extreme adversity. Their survival isn't the result of a single factor; it emerges from an interplay of physiological adaptation, resource availability, immediate decision-making, and mental grit.”
wionews.com
“The body begins to tap into its energy reserves to sustain vital organs. First, it uses available glucose, then converts stored fat, and ultimately breaks down muscle tissue for fuel. However, access to water, oxygen, and stable body temperature are crucial for survival.”
wionews.com

Sources

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