Anukul and wife Reba, on way to Kailash-Mansarovar, were just two hours from the Nepal-China border when they were stopped and asked to turn back
They were part of a group of 98 Indian tourists, including 39 from Bengal, earlier reported missing. “It was around 10.25 am on Aug 26. Another Basirhat couple, retired schoolteachers Swapan Mondal and wife Mou Mondal of Khan Bahadur Road in Ward 10 of Basirhat Municipality, are still missing. They had travelled to Nepal with Kolkata-based tour operator Chalo Jaai along with 30 others.
The cops told us to turn back immediately, saying there was a flash flood and a major natural disaster ahead. The Poddars are among the first tourists from Bengal to head back from the disaster-hit Himalayan nation. News of their safe return has brought a measure of hope to families still waiting for information about their loved ones. Speaking from the train, Poddar recalled the terrifying moments when their journey was abruptly halted. We had started from Kathmandu early in the morning and were headed towards Rasuwagadhi on the Nepal-China border. We were about two hours from the border when local police stopped our vehicle.
The administration is in regular contact with the couple and their family,” said Alaknanda Bhowal, SP, Basirhat. The state administration had arranged to fly the Poddars back on chief minister Suvendu Adhikari’s instructions, but the couple chose to return by train for convenience. “All necessary arrangements have been made by the administration to bring the couple back safely. They have already left by train for home.