Saree Used as Lifeline as Tamil Nadu Pilgrims Climb to Safety During Nepal Flood

A saree became an unexpected lifeline for a group of Tamil Nadu pilgrims fighting for their lives when a sudden flood swept through Nepal, forcing them to scramble up a muddy hillside to escape the raging waters.

For R Poonguzhali, the terrifying experience is something she says she will never forget. The Mayiladuthurai resident, along with her husband K Rathina Kumar and fellow pilgrim S Manimekalai, was among 21 people from Tamil Nadu who survived after being stranded in Nepal.

The group returned to Tamil Nadu after being flown back to India via New Delhi. Seven of the survivors were from Mayiladuthurai and had travelled as part of a 13-day pilgrimage tour organised by Super Yathirai Agency in Kumbakonam.

The 57-member group was travelling in three buses when disaster struck on August 23.

Looking back, Poonguzhali believes a seemingly insignificant 10-minute delay may have made the difference between life and death.

“We were stuck in traffic for about 10 minutes and that 10 minutes saved our lives. Had we moved ahead, we would have been swept away by the flood less than a kilometre from where we were held up,” she recalled.

At first, the group did not realise the danger that was approaching. The thick fog ahead appeared almost scenic, and some were even preparing to take photographs. But within moments, what looked like fog transformed into a massive wall of water.

“We casually saw the fog and thought it was another scenery that we could capture. But suddenly, the fog turned into a huge wave, like a tsunami, sweeping everything away,” Poonguzhali said.

 

 

 

 

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As they watched vehicles being carried away by the powerful floodwaters, the group realised they could not remain inside the buses. They got out and began making their way up a nearby hill. But the path had been covered in thick mud, making every step difficult and dangerous. A metal cable at the site became another means of escape, with the survivors using it to pull themselves up one by one.

Then, Poonguzhali’s saree became an unlikely rescue tool. Those who managed to reach higher ground began helping others climb. The saree was used to assist people who were struggling to make their way up the muddy slope.

In one particularly tense moment, a woman who was unable to climb was asked to tie the saree around her waist. Those already at a safer height then pulled her towards them. Rathinakumar also turned back towards the dangerous stretch to help other members of the group reach safety.

“After we climbed uphill, we looked down and saw the flood raging just beneath our feet,” Poonguzhali recalled.

Eventually, the survivors managed to reach a relief camp after making it to higher ground. They were later assisted in their return with the help of the Indian Embassy. When Poonguzhali, Rathinakumar and Manimekalai finally reached home on Monday, their families were waiting for them.

But their relief at returning safely was mixed with concern for those who are still untraced. After reaching home, they went straight to the pooja room and prayed for the safe return of the pilgrims who remain missing. For the survivors, the journey that began as a pilgrimage turned into a fight for survival, one they say they will carry with them for the rest of their lives.

Source : Indian Express  , Times of India , bhuwaniaaa