Former Defence Agency Chief Among 31 Pilgrims Stranded in Nepal Floods

Nepal is grappling with a major humanitarian crisis as monsoon-triggered floods sweep through the Himalayan nation, destroying homes, bridges and entire villages. The death toll has climbed to at least 270, with search and rescue operations ongoing to locate over 800 missing persons.

The stranded pilgrims, including the former defence establishment official and his spouse, remain stuck in flood-affected areas as rescue teams work to reach them. The group of 31 is among numerous civilians and tourists caught in the disaster that has paralysed transportation networks and cut off several communities from main supply routes.

Nepal's disaster management authorities have mobilised rescue operations across multiple districts hit by the floods. The deluge has caused widespread structural damage, washing away infrastructure and displacing thousands of families from their homes. The government has appealed for international assistance as it struggles to cope with the scale of the emergency.

Monitoring agencies continue assessing the full extent of the disaster, with particular focus on mountainous terrain where access remains difficult. The flood season in Nepal typically peaks during monsoon months, but this year's torrential rains have triggered more severe damage than in previous years, overwhelming local response capacity.