A photograph in hand, Express looks for a family in Nepal

On August 26, the muddy Trishuli river flooded the village of Betrawati in Nepal, causing extensive damage to homes and people. Among the hardest hit, a family of seven posed for a photograph, their smiles standing out amidst the destruction. Found at the foot of a tree, the image was the sole sign of life in the village. Four days later, a reporter and their team returned to Betrawati to search for the family.

The journey was arduous, taking over six hours to reach the village through mud and stone trails. The village, situated on the confluence of the Trishuli and Falakhu rivers, is home to the historic Betrawati Treaty site and Uttar Gaya temple. The aftermath of the floods left only a few buildings and remnants of life visible. The reporter took photographs of the somber scene, and the photograph in their possession began to hold meaning as they learned it belonged to the missing family.

The reporter later discovered the identity of the family members through inquiries and a relative, Chini Maya Thapar Magar, who confirmed the identities of the seven people in the photograph. Tragically, Chini Maya was still missing. The photograph, taken on Dashain in 2009, provided a glimpse into the lives that were suddenly disrupted by the flood.