6 days ago
Karnataka Pilgrims Escape Nepal Floods After Buses Swept Away
Mallinath and his son-in-law Sangamesh were travelling in Nepal to visit Mansarovar.
A sudden flood came near their bus on Wednesday morning.
Their driver quickly turned the bus toward higher ground.
This helped the passengers avoid being swept away.
Mallinath said two buses in front of them were carried away by the water.
Buildings, roads and a border immigration centre were also destroyed.
The travellers received food and were trying to return home.
One report said their return tickets were confirmed, while another said they were waiting for roads to reopen.
Karnataka officials were checking on other citizens stranded in Nepal.
Mallinath Kolkundi and his son-in-law Sangamesh narrowly escaped flash floods while travelling from Kathmandu toward Mansarovar.
Their driver reportedly turned toward higher ground when the bus came within about 200 metres of the flood zone.
Mallinath said two buses ahead were swept away, while hotels, roads and an immigration facility were destroyed.
The 25-member tour group had left Hyderabad on August 21 and received visa clearances on August 25.
Reports differ on their return status: one said tickets were confirmed, while another said they remained stranded awaiting road repairs.
- Who
- Mallinath Kolkundi, his son-in-law Sangamesh and other pilgrims from Karnataka and Hyderabad; state officials were coordinating assistance.
- What
- The travellers narrowly escaped devastating flash floods near the Nepal-Tibet border, while other buses and infrastructure were swept away.
- Where
- Near the Nepal-Tibet border, while travelling from Kathmandu toward Mansarovar in the Tibet Autonomous Region.
- When
- The flood struck on Wednesday at about 9:30 a.m.; the group left Hyderabad on August 21 and received visa clearances on August 25.
- Why
- The bus driver turned toward higher ground after seeing the approaching wall of water.
Key facts
- Travellers
- Mallinath Kolkundi and Sangamesh, residents of Kalaburagi district
- Tour group
- A 25-member group that left Hyderabad on August 21
- Flood timing
- Around 9:30 a.m. on Wednesday
- Distance from danger
- The bus was reportedly about 200 metres from the flood zone
- Damage reported
- Two buses, hotels, roads and a border immigration facility were reportedly destroyed
- Reported death toll
- More than 350 people, according to one report
- Karnataka response
- Officials said they were tracking stranded residents and coordinating relief
- Helpline
- Karnataka control room: 1070 and 080-22253707
Quotes
Mallinath Kolkundi
A 50-year-old Karnataka pilgrim who survived the Nepal flash floods
“We have information that eight people from Bengaluru are stranded in Nepal, and steps are being taken to rescue them. We have no reports of fatalities among Karnataka residents so far.”
indianexpress.com
“Our vehicle was barely 200 metres from the flood zone. Seeing the wall of water, our bus driver immediately executed a sharp turn and rushed to higher ground, which saved our lives.”
indianexpress.com
Sources
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