Survivors recount harrowing escapes from Bhotekoshi River flood

The Bhotekoshi River's sudden surge on Wednesday morning left a trail of devastation, forcing survivors to recount desperate bids for safety. Some fled along roads or up hillsides, while others raced ahead in their vehicles. One man's survival story involved clinging to an electricity cable for nearly half an hour as floodwaters roared below.

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I survived by holding on to the cable. I was given a new life.

Rambachan Sah, a sweet shop worker in Rautahat's Rajdevi Municipality, described the terrifying moments he grabbed an electricity cable when the floodwaters swept into his shop. "I survived by holding on to the cable. I was given a new life," he said, noting the precariousness of his situation. "Had my hands slipped from the cable, there was no chance I would have survived."

Sah survived, but three people from his shop remain unaccounted for. He is now staying with a friend, though the fear from that morning lingers. "There may still be traces of mud from the flood on my body, but the fear of that morning is still fresh in my mind," he shared.

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Had my hands slipped from the cable, there was no chance I would have survived.

Another survivor, Sachin Khati of Jhapa, was spared because he was away from his settlement when the flood hit. His maternal uncle, his wife, and their young son, who ran a jewelry business in Syabrubesi, Rasuwa, are among those missing. Sachin had been staying with them and helping with the business. His uncle had sent him on an errand shortly before the floodwaters swept through their village.

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There may still be traces of mud from the flood on my body, but the fear of that morning is still fresh in my mind.

By the time Sachin returned, their home and community were gone. "When I heard that the flood had come, I rushed back. By then, the village where we had been staying had already been swept away," he said. He is now under the protection of the Nepali Army in Dhunche. A total of 12 people from Rautahat district are known to be missing, according to Dinesh Sagar Bhusal, chief district officer of Rautahat.

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Early Wednesday morning, my uncle sent me to Chilime for work. When I heard that the flood had come, I rushed back. By then, the village where we had been staying had already been swept away.