Nepal issues fresh flood warning as rising water levels could trigger second catastrophic wave

The Sun

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Video Summary

Flash floods in Nepal's Trishuli River have devastated communities, washing away at least 45 homes, a bazaar, a mosque, a monastery, a primary school, and a college in the Simyatar area. Amidst the destruction, Pramod Pudel traveled from East Sussex, UK, to search for his newlywed wife, mother, uncle, and brother, who are among those missing.

Pudel last spoke to his wife on Wednesday morning, but communication ceased shortly before the flood. He is now coordinating efforts, sending his uncle and friends by helicopter to the inaccessible village of Soleil, where his family lived. While the news is grim, with reports suggesting 90% of the village and its homes were destroyed, Pudel remains hopeful, citing unconfirmed sightings of his relatives and a last known phone signal near a wooded area, suggesting a possible escape.

Short Highlights

Flash floods in Nepal's Trishuli River have caused widespread devastation.
At least 45 homes, a bazaar, a mosque, a monastery, a primary school, and a college in Simyatar were destroyed.
Pramod Pudel traveled from the UK to search for his missing wife, mother, uncle, and brother.
Communication with his newlywed wife ceased just before the flood.
Efforts are underway to reach the inaccessible village of Soleil by helicopter.

Key Details

Devastation in Simyatar [0:00]

Flash floods along the Trishuli River in Nepal have transformed the area into a scene of utter devastation.
The community of Simyatar has been largely destroyed, with at least 45 homes washed away.
Significant structures including a bazaar, a mosque, a Buddhist monastery, a primary school, and a college have also been lost.

"This area is called Simyatar, just one of many communities destroyed."

Pramod Pudel's Search for Family [0:41]

Pramod Pudel has traveled from Uckfield, East Sussex, UK, to search for his missing wife, mother, brother, and uncle.
He last communicated with his newlywed wife, Sumitra, on Wednesday morning, after which contact was lost.
Pudel described the journey from the UK as "very, very hard and difficult."

"And after that, the phone, I tried to call her. The phone has been, obviously, I can't connect to her."

Helicopter Mission to Soleil [1:37]

Due to damaged roads, Pudel is sending his uncle and friends by helicopter to the village of Soleil to search for his relatives.
Pudel's wife had recently moved to Nepal to live with his family after their marriage a couple of months prior.
He had plans to return to the UK with his wife to start their life together.

"So I'm sending my uncle and his friends over there in helicopter to see and talk to people who are there, kind of thing."

Lingering Hope Amidst Loss [4:22]

Pudel remains hopeful about finding his family, despite reports that about 90% of the village and its houses were destroyed.
He heard that his brother called his father 20 minutes before the flood, offering a sliver of hope for their escape.
Unconfirmed sightings of his brother and mother, and a last known phone signal near a wooded area, fuel his optimism.

"And hopefully, fingers crossed, I'm I'm very, very positive now after hearing all that news."