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The pictures and stories of the havoc that nature has wreaked in the Himalayan regions of Nepal are enough to shock anyone’s heart. Amidst the torrential rains, the cracking of the mountains and the swelling of the rivers, there was such a flood of destruction that the settlements collapsed like a deck of cards. In the midst of this horrific natural disaster, such a brave and miraculous story has come to light that people are jaw-dropping after hearing it. In the strong current of the deluge, when there were only screams and deathly silence all around, a laborer fought the battle between life and death for more than 14 hours by holding tightly to the branch of a strong mango tree and came out safely from the jaws of death.
Horrible scene of death: When everything went away in the blink of an eye
This man, who worked as a laborer in the affected area, narrated the entire story of that night in a trembling voice from the hospital bed. According to the labourer, after a hard day’s hard work as usual, all the workers were sleeping in their temporary camp (labor shed). Around midnight suddenly a thunder like burst of clouds was heard from the mountains. Before anyone could understand anything or try to escape, a huge flood of water, heavy stones and debris from above swept away the camp like straw. He told that the flow of water was so fast that the ground slipped under the feet and in the darkness all around, only the roar of water and screams of people could be heard.
‘Mango tree became the hand of God’: 14 hour battle between life and death
Crying, the laborer told that the strong current had carried him away for about half a kilometer. He was continuously drowning in water and breathing had become difficult. Then in the darkness a strong branch of a tree came into his hands. It was an old and huge mango tree, which was standing firmly rooted even in the midst of strong currents. Without wasting a moment he held tightly to the main branch of that tree with both his hands and feet. The water level was continuously rising and the waves were hitting him up to his chest. The laborer told that his entire body had become numb due to cold, but he had decided in his mind that he would not let his grip loose. He said that if that mango tree had not been there, even his dead body would not have been found today; That tree became the support of God in person for him.
Colleagues drowned before our eyes: Painful story told by the laborer
Amidst this miraculous rescue, the deep pain of losing his comrades was clearly visible in the eyes of that worker. He told that while he was hanging from the tree, he saw many of his companions being swept away in the strong current of water and calling for help, but he was so helpless that he could not hold anyone’s hand. Many people’s belongings, vehicles and concrete pillars were swept away with the water. He remained the whole night praying only to God for his life and to return to his family. By the time the first rays of morning broke, the water level had subsided a little, but the current was still so strong that no one could dare to descend.
Rescue operation of NDRF and Nepali Army: This is how lives were saved
When it became light in the morning, the Nepalese Army, Armed Police Force (APF) and disaster management personnel engaged in relief and rescue work spotted the laborer stuck on the tree. It was impossible to reach there by boat due to swollen rivers and swamps all around. After this the rescue team started the operation with the help of modern drones and helicopters. A soldier came down with the help of a rope, put a life jacket on the laborer and airlifted him out safely. As soon as he stepped onto safe ground, the worker started crying bitterly and touched the feet of the rescue team.
Treatment in medical camp and emotional contact with family members
The rescue team immediately admitted him to the emergency medical base camp set up in the border area. According to doctors, the worker had become a victim of hypothermia and extreme trauma due to being in the icy water for hours. There were deep wounds at many places on his body due to collision with stones and wood. After first aid and glucose infusion, his condition is now said to be out of danger. The administration got him talking to his family through satellite phone, after which tears of joy were shed instead of mourning in the house.
Havoc of Himalayan rivers and high alert on India-Nepal border
The impact of the devastation in these hilly watersheds of Nepal is not limited to Nepal only, but the associated rivers like Gandak, Kosi, Rapti and Sharda are also in spate in the plains of Uttar Pradesh and Bihar of India. The administration has issued a high alert in border districts like Maharajganj, Siddharthnagar, West Champaran and Supaul. Relief commissioners have increased vigilance on the embankments and have instructed villagers living in low-lying areas to remain alert. The disaster agencies of both the countries are continuously coordinating and carrying out mega-rescue operations in search of such stranded people and laborers.