Nepali woman rescued alive from buried home 10 days after flood

Jagan Adhikari, a Nepali referee based in Abu Dhabi, was planning a family holiday to Nepal when a massive flood struck his in-laws' village. The phone call warning of the flood's severity took him by surprise, and his cautious wife initially questioned the urgency. However, when news of his wife's sister's daughter and the family's home being swept away reached them, panic set in.

After three hours of trying to reach relatives, they finally learned that their immediate family was safe, though their home and land were gone. Realizing the severity of the situation, they decided it was no longer safe to continue to Trishuli. From there, Adhikari observed helicopters evacuating people from the affected areas, highlighting the scale of the disaster.

He contacted authorities and secured the evacuation of those trapped by a helicopter sent by Nepal's Minister of Communications. Adhikari emphasized that his role was simply connecting the information with the right people. For several days following the disaster, communication between affected areas was difficult due to damaged roads and bridges.

Phones became the primary means of coordination, with individuals making countless calls to ensure resources reached those in need. Stories from survivors revealed the harrowing moments when people narrowly escaped the rising waters, and others returned to collect possessions, unaware of the imminent danger. Adhikari stressed the importance of not judging those who ventured back, as decisions made in fear can be difficult to judge in hindsight.

Ten days after the disaster, many families were still awaiting news of their loved ones, highlighting the ongoing uncertainty and grief. Adhikari, a Taekwondo national referee in the UAE and a community volunteer through Abu Dhabi Police's "We Are All Police" initiative, never anticipated his skills and experiences would be put to the test in such a personal emergency.