Devastating floods in Nepal leave homes destroyed and families separated

Nepal is grappling with the aftermath of devastating floods and landslides that struck the northern Rasuwa district, leaving a trail of destruction and separating families. Survivors recount harrowing scenes of homes and bridges being swept away by the powerful currents following torrential rains.

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It was an indescribable situation. Houses next to the river, all the bridges, were pouring into the river and flowing away.

Navraj Jamkhatel, a trekking guide with 25 years of experience, described the situation as "indescribable." He witnessed entire villages, familiar to him from countless treks, being obliterated. "Houses next to the river, all the bridges, were pouring into the river and flowing away," he told The Hankyoreh, emphasizing that while floods are not uncommon, the scale of this disaster, exacerbated by melting glaciers and landslides, was beyond expectation.

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I tried to grab my wife's hand and run, but she was swept away by the mud. My wife is still somewhere under the mud.

Keshab Prasad Baral, a survivor, shared his anguish of being unable to save his wife, who was swept away by mud as they tried to escape their home. Rescue efforts are proving extremely difficult due to the vast scale of the disaster and the heavy accumulation of debris. Nepali citizens residing abroad, working in countries like South Korea, are desperately trying to contact relatives back home, adding to the emotional toll.

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I haven't been able to contact my family since yesterday afternoon. After seeing the flood videos, I can barely console myself.

Suresh Bhatta, a migrant worker from Nuwakot, has been unable to reach his family since the afternoon of the previous day. "After seeing the flood videos, I can barely console myself," he stated in a written interview. The Nepali community in South Korea is also in distress, discussing ways to send aid despite impassable roads and broken bridges. The once pristine landscape is now covered in mud, a stark reminder of the destructive power of nature.

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I am praying that there will be no further damage, as many people had started heading towards the villages just before the flood hit, especially during the Hindu pilgrimage season.