'No Cash, No Help': Rajasthan Family Stranded In Nepal Floods Shares Harrowing Experience

Lalit Jain was part of a group of 190 travellers, all from Pali, who went to Kathmandu with a private tour operator booking.

The Nepal floods have devastated the Himalayan nation, claiming over 220 lives. Many remain missing. The woes caused by the heavy are shared by India as well, which, too, is suffering from floods in Bihar and Bengal. Moreover, several tourists and pilgrims, who recently went to Nepal, have been left stranded due to the floods and landslides due to the incessant rains.

One such family from Rajasthan, who went to Kathmandu to visit the Kamal Pokhari and the Pashupatinath temples, found themselves stranded with desperation and no help seemingly coming their way. Lalit Jain from Rajasthan's Gorwar shared his harrowing experience with ABP Live.

Lalit Jain was part of a group of 190 travellers, all from Pali, who went to Kathmandu with a private tour operator booking. At least 10 women were part of the group from the Jain community. They were attending a Jain religious programme organised by Sri Marudhar Jain Sangeet Mandal, Lalbaugh, Mumbai. However, owing to the heavy rain and consequent floods, the group was stranded. 

Initially planned for three days, the group found itself staying in Nepal for 10 days.

"We were four members of our family. We were worried about how would I reach home. I left everything on God's grace," Lalit Jain told ABP LIVE over phone. 

The group had to extend their stay at the hotels in Kathmandu and also arrange for food and other essentials.

Cash Runs Low Amid Nepal Crisis

The major worry was arranging for food and the flights back home. Since everyone had planned for just three days in Nepal, no one was carrying extra cash for the additional expenditure.

"What compounded our problems was the fact that many in the group didn't even have smartphones. We had to call our acquaintances in Mumbai who arranged our flight tickets," Lalit Jain said.

While the Indian Embassy helped them out with temporary travel papers (they were not carrying passports), the flights had to be arranged by the individuals themselves. Jain said that the tickets from Kathmandu to Mumbai ranged between Rs 10,000 to Rs 17,000. 

Lalit Jain's family managed to find a place on a flight to Rajasthan on Tuesday. However, 50-60 people are still stranded in Kathmandu and are awaiting a way back home.

What Is Happening In Nepal?

Nepal Prime Minister KP Oli on Tuesday said that over 4,000 people were rescued in the floods and landslides and added that 241 people have lost their lives so far. 

The Nepali Prime Minister said that the authorities have rescued 4,331 people across the country after the disaster that unfolded on Saturday following 48 hours of incessant rain.

The country has so far suffered a loss of over Rs 17 billion due to the devastating landslide. The Home Ministry spokesperson said that around 900 people, including foreigners, have been rescued by helicopters.

The disaster, which began on Thursday, continued to cause widespread destruction in multiple provinces until Sunday, leaving thousands displaced. Large swathes of eastern and central Nepal have been inundated since Friday.