Bhadrak, Sept 1: A man from Chandbali area of Odisha’s Bhadrak district, who was stranded in Nepal amid devastating flash floods, has safely returned home. Recounting his ordeal after reaching Bhadrak, he described the terrifying moments he experienced during the disaster.
Ramesh Das, a resident of Nalgunda village under Chandbali block, had travelled to Nepal on August 21. However, his trip soon turned into a nightmare after heavy flooding triggered a dangerous situation in several areas.
According to Ramesh, he and 50 others were travelling in a bus towards Kathmandu when they were stopped by Nepal Army personnel. While returning, the group witnessed the extensive destruction caused by the floods.
Ramesh said he saw hundreds of bodies in the floodwaters, along with damaged houses and vehicles, including buses and trucks, being swept away by the raging water. What frightened him the most was seeing floodwaters rapidly approaching from behind while their vehicle was on the road.
The situation became so terrifying that several passengers inside the vehicle began to cry. The group eventually took shelter in a hotel, where they remained safe until the situation improved.
“I can never forget what I saw in Nepal in my lifetime,” Ramesh said.
Adding to his anxiety, Ramesh was unable to contact his family during the crisis because mobile network services were unavailable. With no way to communicate with his loved ones, he feared that he might never see his family again.
After finally returning safely to Bhadrak, Ramesh became emotional when he met his younger brother at the railway station.
What had begun as a trip to explore Nepal ended as a deeply traumatic experience for Ramesh, leaving him with memories of a disaster he says he will never forget.
