Mother, I Have Returned, I Have Risen From The Ashes: Bus Helper Survives Bhotekoshi Flood As 30 Pilgrims Remain Missing

Kathmandu, September 3, 2026: “Mother, I have returned. I have risen from the ashes.” For Niraj Bhandari, returning home alive after escaping a powerful flood was like getting a second life.

Niraj, from Siranchok Rural Municipality in Gorkha, was working as a helper on a Prithvi Yatayat bus carrying pilgrims from Palungtar Municipality 5 towards Gosainkunda. The bus, carrying 36 people, left Palungtar at around 4:30 am on Bhadra 10.

The journey began normally. Passengers travelled while listening to folk, modern, and Teej songs. While stopping for breakfast in Galchhi, they heard reports that a flood had come from the Rasuwa side. However, with sunshine outside and the Trishuli River appearing normal, they did not expect the scale of the danger ahead.

Seconds That Changed Everything

When the bus reached Bhaisey in Nuwakot, people suddenly began warning that a flood was approaching. Niraj, who was sitting near the door, soon saw a huge wave carrying mud, rocks and debris coming towards them.

He asked driver Sagar Devkota to stop the bus. According to Niraj, the driver apparently believed they could cross the dangerous section and continued driving.

Niraj realised there was almost no time left.

He jumped through the bus door and ran towards higher ground. When he turned around moments later, the bus was gone. The flood had swept away the vehicle along with the passengers who were still inside.

Niraj said the pain of seeing the people he travelled with disappear was greater than the relief of surviving. He remains particularly affected by the loss of driver Sagar, who he said cared deeply for him.

Family Feared Niraj Was Gone

Back home, Niraj’s family heard that the bus had been swept away. They had no way to contact him because his mobile phone had also been carried away with the vehicle.

His mother, Premkumari, repeatedly checked the phone hoping for news of her son. As the hours passed without contact, the family began fearing the worst.

Later that evening, Niraj borrowed someone else’s phone and called his father.

Only then did the family know for certain that he was alive.

When Niraj finally returned home, his mother could not stop crying even as her son stood in front of her and tried to comfort her.

Six Survive, 30 Remain Missing

Niraj was not the only person who escaped by jumping from the bus. Badri Devkota, Rabindra Devkota, Tularam Devkota, Baburam Devkota and Parvati Neupane also survived after seeing the danger and jumping from the vehicle.

According to Palungtar Municipality 5 Ward Chair Deepak Pandey, there were 36 people on the bus. Six have made safe contact, while 30 remain missing.

Pandey said Kamala Devkota, Kedar Pandit, Sujata Kaudal, Tara Ranabhat and Sumi Kumal have been identified.

Palungtar Municipality Mayor Bibas Chintan said the municipality is continuously coordinating with concerned agencies in efforts to find and rescue the missing pilgrims.

A Survivor Still Living With The Memory

Although Niraj is now safely home with his parents, the tragedy has not left him.

His family says he has become quiet, rarely smiles, and sometimes sits alone thinking about what happened. The memories of the passengers, their conversations during the journey, and the final moments before the flood continue to return to him.

He still hopes that more of the people who travelled with him will somehow return alive.

An Entire Village Waits

The tragedy has left Palungtar Municipality 5 in deep grief. Many of those on the bus came from the same area, leaving several families waiting for news at the same time.

Some are still hoping their missing relatives will return. Others are waiting for information from search teams.

For Niraj’s family, the long wait ended with their son walking back through the door alive. For many other families in the village, that painful wait continues.

Source: RSS, Gorkhapatra