Nepal Flood Survivors: Temple Delay Saved Our Lives

A group of 31 Keralites, who were on a holiday trip to Nepal, arrived safely at Kochi international airport early Sunday. The travelers were part of a 38-member contingent that had departed from Kochi.

Their journey from Kathmandu to Pokhara was unexpectedly delayed by an extra 20 minutes at a Buddha temple, a stop requested by the women in the group. This brief delay proved providential, as it meant they avoided a bridge and road that were soon after swept away by flash floods.

The group had commenced their road journey from Kathmandu on Wednesday morning. They witnessed large volumes of mud and debris inundating the river, causing traffic disruptions for over two hours. Subsequently, their vehicle was rerouted through a forest path, adding over 60 kilometers to their travel.

Forced to travel through the night via the alternate route, the group eventually reached Pokhara around 2 am on Thursday. They reported that police had blocked their original path and described seeing frantic residents. From a distance, they observed entire regions being submerged as water swept away buildings.