'Flood was just 100m away, God helped': Rescued Indian pilgrim recalls Nepal flood horror

A rescued Indian pilgrim recounted the harrowing experience of being caught in flash floods in Nepal, just 100 meters away from the devastation. Speaking to ANI, the pilgrim from Visakhapatnam, Andhra Pradesh, expressed his gratitude, saying, "God helped me." He claimed that around 250 Indians were missing in the disaster, which struck the Rasuwa district of Nepal's Himalayan valley on Wednesday.

The sudden torrent, triggered by a massive chunk of ice breaking away from a nearby glacier, came so swiftly that many initially struggled to comprehend the magnitude of the flood. Customs officer Subedi described the flood as "like a cyclone forming," likening the sound to a helicopter landing. As the floodwaters surged, many panicked, mistaking it for an earthquake or falling rocks.

The floodwaters, mixed with water, dust, and noise, presented a terrifying scene for those in its path. External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar, who met the 21 Indian pilgrims who had returned safely to Delhi after being rescued by the Nepal Army, expressed relief at their safe return and confirmed that efforts were ongoing to locate the remaining Indian pilgrims affected by the disaster.