Archive · 3 Sep 2026
Nepal’s ‘Miracle’ Green House Survives Devastating Himalayan Floods
A huge flood rushed through Dhunge Bazaar in Nepal after a glacier collapsed in the Himalayas.
The flood destroyed many homes, roads and bridges.
But one green house belonging to the Pyakurel family stayed standing.
The family watched the dangerous water from their balcony and then moved to the roof.
After the water became lower, neighbors helped them escape.
The family believes deep foundations, the shape of the land or God may have protected the house.
The house’s lower floors were badly damaged, and important papers were lost.
The family was relieved that their grandson, who was at school, survived and returned safely.
Many other people were not as fortunate, with more than 1,100 deaths reported in Nepal.
A Pyakurel family home in Dhunge Bazaar survived a powerful flood of water, mud and debris.
The flood followed a massive glacier collapse in the Himalayan region between Nepal and Tibet.
Chhatra Bahadur Pyakurel said the family watched from the balcony and roof before neighbors helped them escape.
The home’s upper structure remained largely intact, but the family said its lower floors and important documents were destroyed.
The survival story emerged amid more than 1,100 deaths, thousands missing and widespread damage across Nepal.
- Who
- The Pyakurel family, including 67-year-old Chhatra Bahadur Pyakurel, survived inside the house.
- What
- A major flood destroyed much of the surrounding area while the family’s green house remained standing.
- When
- The flood occurred the previous week; the article describes conditions nearly a week later and reports the death toll on Wednesday.
- Where
- Dhunge Bazaar in Nepal’s Nuwakot district, near the Himalayan region between Nepal and Tibet.
- Why
- The flooding was caused by a massive glacier collapse, while the house may have survived because of deep rock-anchored pillars or protection from a nearby ridge.
Physical Protection
Faith and Fortune
Why the house survived
Physical Protection
The house may have survived because its pillars were drilled deep into rock, and a ridge may have shielded it from the torrent.
Faith and Fortune
Chhatra Bahadur Pyakurel said the family’s survival was also due to God saving them.
- House location
- Dhunge Bazaar, Nuwakot district, Nepal
- House construction
- The ground floor was built in 1995, with additional floors added later.
- Reported deaths
- Nepal’s death toll rose above 1,100.
- Missing people
- Almost 4,800 people remained missing in Nepal, while hundreds were unaccounted for in Tibet.
- Rescued people
- Rescue missions had saved more than 11,000 people.
- Local housing damage
- More than 1,200 homes in Nuwakot were fully damaged and over 1,000 were partially damaged.
- Family escape
- Neighbors used metal pipes to make a temporary ladder after the water receded.