Residents of Devighat, a sacred town on the Trishuli River, are returning to the remains of their homes after devastating flash floods, despite the ongoing danger. Usha Nepali, 49, who survived the floods, said: “This land is no longer safe but it’s the only land we have.” She returned days after the disaster to see what was left of her house.
Returning to Ruins
Many families in Devighat are now packing up the few belongings they could salvage from their homes. The Guardian’s south Asia correspondent, Hannah Ellis-Petersen, and photographer Ahmer Khan were on the ground to document the aftermath and the residents’ difficult decisions.
The floods left the town in ruins, with the fast-moving waters of the Trishuli River causing widespread destruction. For many, the return is not a choice but a necessity, as they have nowhere else to go.
Renewed Danger on the River
The precariousness of living next to the river was underlined on Sunday when the waters swelled dangerously again. Rescuers urged people to move to higher ground quickly as the river threatened to breach its banks once more.
This renewed swelling has heightened fears among residents who have already lost so much. The constant threat of further flooding adds to the trauma of those trying to rebuild their lives.
Life on the Edge
For the people of Devighat, the river is both a source of life and a source of peril. The recent floods have made that duality painfully clear, leaving families to weigh the risks of staying against the impossibility of leaving.
As the waters continue to rise and fall, the community remains in a state of uncertainty. The Guardian’s reporting from Devighat captures the resilience of those who have no choice but to remain on this dangerous land.
