Nepal Flood Survivors Recount Devastation: 'Only I Survived'

Survivors of a devastating glacial flood in Nepal are recounting harrowing tales of loss after the disaster swept away lives and livelihoods in mere minutes. The catastrophic event, triggered by a glacial collapse near the Nepal-Tibet border, has resulted in at least 538 deaths and over 900 people missing.

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Everyone is dead, only I survived.

Dawa Lama, a 45-year-old resident of the border village of Timure, described the terrifying moments when a thunderous roar preceded a massive mudflow that engulfed his home. He tragically lost his wife and two young daughters in the deluge. "Everyone is dead, only I survived," Lama said, his voice choked with grief, expressing uncertainty about how long he could hold onto hope.

The floodwaters, a mixture of mud, sand, and debris, reshaped the landscape, obliterating houses, shops, schools, farmland, roads, and bridges. Even the remnants of the destruction were carried downstream. A crucial road connecting Nepal and Tibet was largely destroyed, with only fragments remaining along the riverbanks.

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I don't know how long I can hold onto hope.

Hundreds of survivors have been evacuated to Dunche, where a Nepal Army search and rescue base is operating. Helicopters are continuously airlifting the injured and delivering essential supplies like instant noodles, while also transporting survivors to temporary shelters and the capital, Kathmandu. Military officials stated that search operations would continue for at least another three to four days, having already rescued approximately 500 individuals.

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We ran and ran. If we hadn't, we would have died.