Kailash Mansarovar Yatra pilgrims recall how they narrowly escaped Nepal floods
Speaking to the media, pilgrim Bajranga Laxman said the group had left on August 16 and was returning after completing the pilgrimage. He said the Indian Embassy in Nepal had activated a 24-hour helpline following the tragedy to monitor developments and coordinate support. He said Nepal had received more than 57 tonnes of relief material from India.
MUMBAI: ‘Had we been there the following day, we too would have been trapped’ said a Kailash Mansarovar pilgrim recalled after returning from Nepal, describing how his group narrowly escaped the devastating floods. By God’s grace, we were spared,” pilgrim Bajranga Laxman said. Another pilgrim, Sneha Pandey, said they learnt about the disaster while making their way back after completing their parikrama. “Fortunately, we left here on the 16th, and while returning after completing our parikrama, we learned about what had happened,” Pandey said. “Saga, which is a small town, was completely deserted, and we couldn’t access the internet, so our families back home were extremely worried,” she said. Union Minister of State for External Affairs Kirti Vardhan Singh said India was closely monitoring the situation and providing all possible assistance.
We were at a safe distance from the floods. Had we been there the following day, we too would have been trapped. Nepal Foreign Minister Shisir Khanal also thanked countries for their assistance, particularly India.
“We left from here on the 16th and are returning today.