Bettiah: Families of three carpenters from Turahapatti under Chanpatia police station area in West Champaran district are anxiously waiting for news after they went missing in a catastrophic flash floods and mudslides that struck Nepal’s Rasuwa district on Wednesday, leaving hundreds of people dead and many more missing.The missing men have been identified as Sameer Ansari (23), son of Hasamuddin Mian; Mokhtar Mian (45), son of Islam Ansari; and Arman Alam (35), son of Aas Mian. All three were working as carpenters and lived in a rented room in Syafrubesi village in Rasuwa district’s Dhunche area.Four co-workers who were staying with them and survived the disaster returned home in Raxaul on Saturday and recounted their ordeal.Neyaz Alam (34), one of the survivors, said a sudden flash flood accompanied by a massive cloud of dust swept through the area, forcing them to flee to higher ground.“When the water receded, we went looking for our three colleagues but could not find them. Their cellphones were also switched off,” he said.According to Neyaz, local residents later shifted the workers to a safer location and then to a school, where army personnel provided food and water.“The next day, around 4pm, we were airlifted by helicopter to Dhunche. After spending about two hours there, we were taken to Trishuli (Batar) and then to Kathmandu. We stayed overnight at a relative’s house in Kathmandu, left the next morning around 7am, reached Birgunj by 2pm and travelled via Raxaul to return home,” he said.Another survivor, Salman Alam (17), said seven workers had been staying in the room.“At around 6am, four of them left for work, including those engaged in carpentry and tile work. I was unwell and went back to sleep. Around 9.30am, I woke up to people screaming. There was dust and smoke everywhere, and a torrent of water was rushing towards us. We ran uphill to save ourselves,” he said.Salman said one of the workers who had left for work earlier managed to escape and joined them while they were fleeing.“After the water flow subsided, we searched the hills and nearby areas for our three missing colleagues, but found no trace of them. Their cellphones were switched off, which has left us deeply worried,” he added.Chanpatia circle officer Rahul Kumar said the families had informed the administration about the disappearance of the three workers.“The families have reported that three residents of Turahapatti village went missing in the disaster in Nepal. We have forwarded the information in writing to the disaster management department and senior officials. Further action is being taken,” he said.
