21 Tamil Nadu Pilgrims Return to Chennai After Surviving Nepal Flash Floods

A group of 21 pilgrims from Tamil Nadu arrived at Chennai airport on Friday after surviving an avalanche-triggered flash flood during their journey in Nepal. The disaster struck their three-bus convoy, sweeping away two vehicles and forcing passengers to scramble to safety.

Survivors described escaping the floodwaters by climbing onto the roof of their vehicle before reaching safety on a nearby hill. Vijayabhuvaneshwari, one of the returning pilgrims, recounted hearing a loud noise resembling a bomb blast when the flood hit. She noted that after their vehicle was locked in by the other two, passengers climbed out and reached an Armed Reserve Police camp on the hill, where personnel provided shelter.

Another survivor, Vallinayaki, described the escape as miraculous, while fellow pilgrim Kirubathiri reflected on the severity of the climate crisis following the ordeal.

Emotional scenes played out at Chennai airport as families received their relatives. Sriram and his daughter Mahalakshmi were among those waiting to reunite with their family elder after days of uncertainty.

However, anxiety remains for several other families. Tamil Nadu School Education Minister Raj Mohan said an estimated 400 people from the state may have travelled to Nepal around this period. While 140 individuals have been rescued and are safe, at least 80 people remain missing, with efforts ongoing to bring the rescued pilgrims to Kathmandu and back to India.

A team of four state ministers has been deployed to Delhi to coordinate the rescue and return efforts. Water Resources Minister Bussy Anand stated that the government would take all necessary steps to trace those unaccounted for.

At the airport, relatives voiced frustration over the lack of a verified list of missing and rescued individuals. Praveen, whose father remains missing, called for official clarity from the central and state governments. The issue also led to a public interest litigation petition being filed in the Madras High Court on Friday seeking clarity and action regarding the affected pilgrims.