California mom who made dream trip to Nepal describes horror after coming face-to-face with deadly landslide – and the decision which saved her
A California woman and her husband survived a devastating landslide and flood near the Nepal–China border after she urged him to leave their tour bus and climb to higher ground. Their account illustrates the scale and suddenness of the disaster, which has destroyed communities and left many pilgrims and foreign visitors missing.
Anjana Raja said the couple watched floodwater and mud, reportedly 50 to 60 feet high, sweep away vehicles, people and a base camp after escaping with their tour group; everyone on their bus survived. The article reports at least 682 deaths and nearly 3,000 people unaccounted for, while the US State Department said about 90 Americans were missing as of Friday, with no confirmed US deaths. Several Americans travelling on Mount Kailash pilgrimages, including two Texas residents and a retired New York couple, were among those reported missing.
- Couple escaped Nepal landslide by abandoning their tour bus.
- Disaster reportedly killed at least 682 people.
- About 90 Americans were reported missing.
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Nepal is a Himalayan country between India and China, where steep mountain valleys are prone to floods and landslides, especially during periods of heavy rain. A landslide happens when earth, rocks and mud rush downhill, and it can quickly block roads, destroy buildings and trigger flooding.
The affected area lies near the border with China and is used by tourists and by people making religious journeys to Mount Kailash, a mountain in Tibet regarded as sacred by several faiths. Travel there often involves long road trips through remote, high-altitude terrain with limited routes in and out.
Rescue efforts in such places can be difficult because damaged roads, unstable ground and poor weather can cut off communities. The disaster also involves foreign visitors, so Nepalese and Chinese authorities, tour operators and foreign governments may all be involved in locating people and helping survivors.