{
  "type": "article",
  "title": "Tamil Nadu Couple Uses Saree as Lifeline to Rescue 21 Pilgrims in Nepal",
  "summary": "A Tamil Nadu couple used a saree as a makeshift rope to rescue 21 pilgrims trapped by flash floods and landslides in Nepal during a Mount Kailash pilgrimage.",
  "content": "A sacred pilgrimage to Mount Kailash turned into a harrowing nightmare for 21 travelers from Tamil Nadu when severe weather struck the mountainous terrain of Nepal. Between Syabru Base and Kerung in the treacherous Timure region, sudden storms and relentless downpours transformed the mountain paths into a massive disaster zone. Amid raging torrents of muddy water and falling debris, the selfless bravery of a local couple and a simple fabric turned the tide, pulling 21 lives back from the jaws of death. Rushing water poured down the steep mountain slopes, leaving a slippery, mud-caked incline as the only possible route to safety, while fear gripped everyone so intensely that no one dared look back down.\n\nA Saree Becomes a Lifeline\nAmid the chaos, Ratnakumar and his wife Poonguzhali, residents of Mayiladuthurai, had already managed to climb to a safe higher ground. However, upon noticing that four to five women were repeatedly slipping in the thick mud and struggling to ascend, Ratnakumar did not hesitate to plunge back down into the danger zone, risking his own safety. He took off his wife Poonguzhali's saree, employing it as a makeshift sturdy rope. With his wife anchoring the upper end, Ratnakumar hauled each struggling woman upward one by one using the fabric.\n\nSurviving the Elements\nRecounting the terrifying ordeal, group member Sivaranjani noted that every single second felt agonizingly heavy when their vehicle was surrounded by water near the Indian Embassy checkpoint. If the vehicle had been off by a mere five feet in either direction, everyone would have been swept away. People managed to crawl out after the driver-side door was forced open. Following this escape, the entire group spent two agonizing days enduring freezing temperatures, relying only on snacks and water provided by locals.\n\nThe Multi-Agency Airlift Operation\nThe ordeal came to an end when the Indian Embassy, the Ministry of External Affairs, and the Tamil Nadu government launched a coordinated 48-hour intensive aerial rescue operation. All 21 stranded passengers were successfully airlifted from Kathmandu and brought safely back to India, concluding a harrowing journey marked by both natural fury and extraordinary human courage.\n\nWhat this means for you\nThis incident demonstrates how sudden weather shifts in remote mountainous regions can trigger severe crises, requiring travelers to rely on immediate self-reliance and basic survival tactics until official aid arrives.\n\n• Across India: Pilgrims and tourists traveling from various parts of the country to high-altitude Himalayan routes must exercise extreme caution during heavy monsoon or stormy seasons and closely monitor local weather warnings.\n• In Tamil Nadu: Families planning upcoming trips to Nepal or similar challenging mountain terrains should thoroughly re-evaluate their travel schedules, safety precautions, and emergency communication plans in light of these geographical risks.\n\nQuestions & Answers\n\n1. Where did this incident take place?\nThe incident occurred between Syabru Base and Kerung in the Timure region of Nepal.\n\n2. How many travelers were trapped?\nA total of 21 pilgrims from Tamil Nadu were trapped by the flash floods.\n\n3. How were the pilgrims rescued?\nTraveler Ratnakumar used his wife's saree as a makeshift rope to pull people up, and they were later airlifted via a joint government rescue operation.\n\n4. How long did the pilgrims remain stranded?\nThe group survived for two days in freezing conditions with the help of local residents.\n\n5. Where were the rescued travelers taken?\nAll passengers were airlifted from Kathmandu and brought safely back to India.\n\nInspiration & Lessons\nThis journey highlights exceptional courage, selflessness, and practical problem-solving under extreme pressure.\n\n• Selfless Heroism: Ratnakumar chose to re-enter the danger zone to save others even after he and his wife had reached safety.\n• Resourcefulness: Using an ordinary clothing item like a saree as a makeshift rope demonstrated quick thinking when standard rescue tools were unavailable.\n• Community Support: Local residents provided essential food and water, sustaining the stranded group through two freezing days until formal rescue arrived.",
  "url": "https://trendkia.com/en/world/tamil-nadu-ke-dnpati-ne-sari-ko-banaya-lifeline-nepala-men-bachai-21-shraddhaluon-ki-jana-24636",
  "category": "World",
  "publishedAt": "2026-08-30",
  "tags": [
    "Kailash Mansarovar Yatra",
    "Nepal Floods",
    "Tamil Nadu News",
    "Rescue Operation",
    "Landslide"
  ],
  "language": "en",
  "site": "TrendKia"
}