Tilathi Koiladi, Nepal – Sanjay Sah, a survivor of the floods and mudslides that struck Nepal, returned to his village and family on Sunday. His return followed nine days spent trapped inside a hydroelectric power plant tunnel and a subsequent week of hospitalization after his rescue. The 30-year-old’s return to his village of Tilathi Koiladi, near the Indian border, was marked by mixed emotions: joy and relief, alongside sorrow for the disaster’s victims, according to Reuters.
Nine Days Inside the Tunnel
Sah was among the survivors whom rescue teams managed to pull out alive. This occurred after they had been trapped inside a hydroelectric power plant tunnel following the flash floods and mudslide that struck the area.
The survivor spent nine days in harsh conditions inside the tunnel before rescue teams succeeded in reaching and extracting him. He was subsequently taken to the hospital to receive the necessary medical care.
The joy of returning to the village
After about a week of medical treatment and care, Sah was able to return home. He was welcomed by his family and fellow villagers in an emotionally charged atmosphere. Upon arriving in Tilathi Koiladi, Sah told Reuters that he had felt trapped while held inside the tunnel—a sensation that persisted during his time in the hospital. However, he affirmed that returning to his village finally made him feel free.
A painful memory amidst the celebration.
Despite the joy surrounding the return of a survivor, the aftermath of the disaster—marked by the ravages of floods and mudslides—remained palpable in the village. These calamities had plunged the region into a tragic situation. Sah’s return became a deeply moving occasion for his family and fellow villagers, following his survival after days spent trapped underground. He then began a new phase of recovery, returning to his normal life among his loved ones.
