4 days ago
Andhra Pilgrims Survive Nepal Floods and Landslide, Return Safely
Twenty-eight pilgrims from Andhra Pradesh were traveling through Nepal.
They faced sudden floods and a dangerous landslide.
Their bus drivers stopped, turned around, and drove toward higher ground.
This helped the pilgrims and some local villagers reach safety.
Other vehicles were swept away, and two buses carrying West Bengal passengers were reported missing.
The pilgrims had been delayed in Kathmandu because of Chinese visa problems.
That delay may have kept them away from the flood area when the water rose.
Reports say the group returned safely, although they differ on whether the pilgrims completed their pilgrimage or missed darshan.
Twenty-eight pilgrims from Andhra Pradesh safely returned after encountering flash floods and a landslide during their Nepal journey.
Their bus turned back and climbed to higher ground after floodwaters swept away vehicles and collapsed a bridge near a hilly village.
A separate account said a landslide struck 50 to 100 metres from the pilgrims’ bus near a China-border bridge.
Visa delays and a missed 4:30 a.m. flight changed the group’s departure from Kathmandu, possibly keeping it away from the worst flooding.
Reports differ on the pilgrimage outcome: one pilgrim said the group missed darshan, while another report said the pilgrims completed the Kailash Mansarovar Yatra.
- Who
- Twenty-eight pilgrims from Andhra Pradesh, including members of a family group and participants connected with the Isha Foundation, were involved.
- What
- The pilgrims encountered flash floods and a landslide in Nepal but were taken to safety and later returned to India.
- Where
- The incidents occurred in Nepal near a hilly village, the Trishuli River bridge, and a bridge near the China border; the pilgrims returned to India.
- When
- The reports mention departures on August 21 and August 24, with the group reported safely back by August 29.
- Why
- Sudden floodwaters and a landslide threatened the route, while visa and flight delays changed the group’s travel timing.
Key facts
- Pilgrims affected
- 28 pilgrims from Andhra Pradesh
- Journey
- Kailash Mansarovar Yatra
- Kathmandu delay
- About three days because of delayed Chinese visas
- Flood location
- Near a hilly village and the Trishuli River bridge in Nepal
- Landslide distance
- The landslide was reported 50 to 100 metres from one bus
- Reported missing buses
- Two buses carrying people from West Bengal were reported missing
- Outcome
- The Andhra pilgrims were reported safe and returned to India
Quotes
Gadu Venkatappa
DLDA Chairman and member of the rescued pilgrimage group
“We never imagined it would happen to us... Well, we didn't get the darshan, but God brought us home safely. We travelled for three hours from Kathmandu--it was about 80 kilometers. When we stopped to drink tea, the two buses that had left half an hour ahead of us, got washed away or missing. We were traveling in three buses, and all of us are safe”
deccanchronicle.com
“There was no rain or even a cloud until then. It was bright and sunny and the villagers were carrying on with their daily activities. Suddenly, an extremely heavy flow of water entered the river and nobody understood what was happening.”
theprint.in
Sources
Related news
Five-Minute Move Helps Tirupati Pilgrims Escape Nepal Floods
Karnataka Pilgrims Escape Nepal Floods After Buses Swept Away
Kailash Mansarovar Pilgrims Reach India After Nepal Flood Detour
Maharashtra Kailash Pilgrims Return After Nepal Floods And Landslides
Delayed Journey Saves Bheemili Pilgrims From Nepal Floods
SVIMS to Open Eight-Bed Paediatric ICU in Tirupati
Naidu Orders Speedy Construction of 5,000 Temples in Andhra Pradesh
ACB Raids TTD Deputy EO Lokanatham in DA Case
Spice Lounge Launches Food Division, Targets ₹1,200 Crore Revenue
Railway Announces Charlapalli–Tiruchanur Special Trains for September Rush
