Amid the catastrophic Rasuwa-Bhotekoshi flash floods that recently struck Nepal, stories of incredible human resilience and miraculous survival continue to emerge from the widespread devastation. Among the most talked-about accounts is that of 97-year-old Guna Maya Bohara, who was pulled out alive from beneath heavy debris following a grueling four-hour rescue operation. Caked entirely in thick mud, the elderly woman was seated inside the scoop of a JCB machine and transported to safety. Her images have quickly transformed into a powerful symbol of survival against the odds during this massive calamity in Nepal.
Trapped Beneath the Rubble of a Care Home
According to reports, the 97-year-old woman had been buried under the debris of a collapsed care home. Rescue personnel spent nearly four hours of intense effort to extract her safely. Medical professionals note that she is currently undergoing treatment at a hospital and her condition is steadily improving. Her great-grandson Dipak shared with BBC Nepali that upon being saved, she appeared as though a victorious warrior had returned from battle. The sudden flash floods had wreaked havoc across multiple regions of Nepal on Wednesday.
Residents Flee Toward the Hills as Homes Collapsed
As settlements and homes began crumbling under the ferocious force of the floodwaters, residents were forced into a desperate scramble to save their lives. Many fled toward higher ground in search of safe havens. Several individuals spent the night stranded inside forests, waiting persistently for help to arrive before being evacuated to secure locations by rescue teams. The calamity-hit zones continue to produce numerous accounts of individuals who survived despite being swept by strong currents, buried under debris, or stranded in remote areas for prolonged periods.
Death Toll Reaches 675 With Thousands Still Missing
Latest updates from the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Authority (NDRRMA) of Nepal indicate that the death toll from the Rasuwa-Bhotekoshi flash floods has climbed to 675. Emergency teams are continuously recovering bodies and human remains from various low-lying areas and districts. By 6:30 PM, a total of 2,418 individuals remained unaccounted for or unreachable. Across the disaster zones, 219 injured people have either received treatment or been discharged from hospitals.
Chitwan Records the Highest Number of Recovered Bodies
The Chitwan district has suffered the heaviest toll from the disaster, accounting for 246 recovered bodies so far. Following Chitwan, 165 bodies were found in Nawalparasi East, 63 in Nawalparasi West, 57 in Gorkha, 51 in Nuwakot, 45 in Dhading, 35 in Tanahu, and 13 in Rasuwa. Search and rescue operations are also unearthing human remains in various locations, with identification procedures and notification processes for affected families currently underway. Meanwhile, the Nepalese government has expressed deep appreciation for the assistance provided by India.
Hydropower Project Workers Among the Missing
According to the NDRRMA, the list of missing or out-of-contact individuals includes 933 workers employed at underground hydroelectric projects. Additionally, 589 foreign nationals are reported missing or unreachable. Around 127 Nepalese citizens traveling alongside foreign tourists also remain unaccounted for. Furthermore, 104 security personnel and government officials on active duty are out of contact, comprising 45 army soldiers, 27 police personnel, 15 customs staff, 13 armed police members, and 4 immigration department employees.
