21 pilgrims return to India after flooding in Nepal
Twenty-one pilgrims who survived a sudden flood in Nepal have returned to Chennai, the capital of India’s Tamil Nadu state. The flow, triggered by an avalanche, struck a convoy of three buses and swept away two of them, NDTV World reports.
The pilgrims arrived at Chennai airport on Friday. They were met by relatives, while the families of other people who may have been in the disaster area continued to wait for information.
Accounts from survivors
One passenger, Vijayabhuvaneshwari, said the flood was accompanied by a loud sound resembling an explosion. According to her, passengers climbed onto the roof of the bus and then made their way up a hill where a reserve police camp was located. Police officers gave them shelter.
More current news is available on the UA.News Telegram channel Telegram.
Pilgrim Kirubathiri described her rescue as a new birth. She also said that climate change is real and that poor people suffer the most from its consequences. Elderly pilgrim Vallinayaki called the escape miraculous and compared the force of the elements to an eruption that was swallowing people.
Information about those out of contact
Tamil Nadu School Education Minister Raj Mohan said that about 400 residents of the state may have traveled to Nepal during this period. According to him, 140 people from Tamil Nadu were rescued and are safe in Nepal. At least 80 people, according to the minister’s estimate, were still considered missing.
Authorities were working to transport the rescued people to Kathmandu and return them to India. Four Tamil Nadu ministers were sent to Delhi to coordinate the process. Relatives of people who are out of contact asked authorities to publish an officially verified list of those rescued and missing. A public interest petition concerning the situation of the pilgrims was also filed with the Madras High Court.
