A 60-year-old woman has been rescued alive in Nepal, an astonishing 10 days after being trapped under mud and debris following catastrophic flash floods. Chandika Shrestha was discovered unconscious on the top floor of her four-story house in Bidur town, Nuwakot district, by a nine-member team from Nepal’s Armed Police Force (APF).
Video footage released by Nepal Police showed rescuers meticulously digging through thick mud and sludge before carefully extracting Shrestha through a window. She gradually regained consciousness as emergency personnel wrapped her in a blanket and jacket to combat hypothermia.
Dramatic Rescue Amidst Widespread Devastation
Following her dramatic rescue, Shrestha was immediately flown by helicopter to the Nepali Army’s Maithili Barracks in Trishuli for initial medical assessment. APF deputy spokesperson Shailendra Thapa confirmed she was subsequently transferred to Kathmandu for specialized medical care.
Her survival offers a rare beacon of hope amidst a severe humanitarian crisis gripping Nepal. The flash floods, triggered by an ice-rock avalanche near the Nepal-Tibet border on August 26, 2026, have unleashed widespread destruction across the country.
Impact of the Bhotekoshi River Flooding
The powerful Bhotekoshi River, swollen by the avalanche, carried floodwaters downstream, obliterating homes, vehicles, roads, and bridges in several districts. Numerous critical hydropower projects have also sustained significant damage, exacerbating the disaster's long-term impact.
Officials report a grim toll, with more than 1,300 people confirmed dead and approximately 5,000 individuals still missing. The floods have ravaged northern and central Nepal, leaving countless communities isolated and thousands in urgent need of humanitarian assistance.
Rescue operations have been ongoing across the affected regions, with emergency teams managing to save over 13,000 people to date. Shrestha’s discovery underscores the tireless efforts of these teams as they continue to search damaged structures and areas for other potential survivors.