Mandi, September 4 (Daily Kiran) : Gyan Singh, a resident of Mandi in Himachal Pradesh, has returned home safely after being caught in a devastating disaster in Nepal. The Nepalese army conducted a rescue operation, bringing him and his colleagues to safety. Singh described the ordeal, stating that he and his team were in a state of crisis for nearly two days and one night.
On the morning of August 26, Singh reported that the weather was normal when he arrived at work around 7 a.m. However, between 9:30 and 9:45 a.m., a sudden gust of wind swept through the power house, followed by loud noises. Confused at first, Singh quickly alerted his colleagues to evacuate. Some workers arrived drenched in water and mud, indicating the severity of the situation. They all rushed to an assembly point, later learning that water had entered through the TRT tunnel.
Singh noted that about 110 people managed to escape, but one worker remained trapped inside the power house. The debris made it difficult to locate and rescue him. Once outside, the scene was terrifying, with large stones and rubble swept away by the floodwaters. The employees climbed to higher ground and stayed there for two to three hours until conditions improved enough for them to assess the project area. They found that the camp, market, and parts of the village had been severely impacted by the debris, and a nearby small project had also sustained significant damage.
Later that night, around 10:30 p.m., they received reports of rising water levels again, prompting a move to a safer location about 50 meters higher. A few hours later, they returned to the control building as the situation stabilized.
The next morning, around 10 to 11 a.m., a team from the Nepalese army arrived and assured the workers of their safety as the rescue operation began. They were taken to an army camp in Butwal, and later that night, they were transported to Kathmandu, where the company arranged hotel accommodations for them. Singh lamented the loss of most of his belongings and clothing during the disaster but expressed gratitude for the support provided by the company and the Nepalese army during this challenging time.
He shared that his last normal conversation with his family occurred around 6:30 a.m. on the day of the disaster. After that, they lost contact, leading to heightened worry when news of the calamity reached them. It wasn’t until the following day, around 11:30 a.m., that he regained mobile signal and was able to inform his son that he was safe, urging the family not to panic.
Singh revealed that the company arranged for his return flight on August 31, leading him through Delhi to Chandigarh before arriving home in Sundernagar around 1 p.m. The company also covered travel expenses and provided transportation. Despite the frightening experience, he and his colleagues supported each other through the ordeal.
Among the four employees from Himachal Pradesh involved in the project, three have returned safely, while Sukhwinder from Una district remains missing. Singh indicated that they had received information about him being in the dam area, and the search operation is ongoing. The uncertainty surrounding their missing colleagues is distressing for their families, who are holding onto hope for their safe return.
Upon his return, Singh’s niece, Raksha, expressed relief, recalling the family’s anxiety when they learned of the disaster. After receiving news of his safety, they were able to speak on the phone. His sister-in-law, Padma Devi, also expressed joy at his return home.
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