Elderly couple rescued after 30 hours on tree amid trishuli flood

KATHMANDU: An elderly couple trapped by sudden floods in the Trishuli River clung to a tree branch for nearly 30 hours before being rescued by a Nepal Army helicopter in a dramatic operation on Tuesday morning.

Palden Tamang, 67, and his wife Mangi Tamang, 62, of Milan Chautara in Bidur Municipality-1, Nuwakot, were collecting firewood near the riverbank on Monday afternoon when they were caught off guard by a sudden rise in water levels due to heavy rainfall upstream in Tibet.

Within moments, the powerful current surrounded them from all sides, forcing them to scramble onto a small river island. But as the water kept rising, the couple climbed a simal tree in the middle of the river for safety.

Stranded overnight on the tree, they endured freezing cold, hunger, and fear as the river roared beneath them and darkness set in.

Local rescuers and security personnel tried to reach them but were unable to navigate the dangerously high currents.

With local efforts failing, the Nuwakot District Administration coordinated with the Ministry of Home Affairs to deploy a Nepal Army helicopter for a high-risk long-line rescue.

As the aircraft hovered above the flood zone on Tuesday morning, hundreds of onlookers gathered at the riverbank watched in suspense and hope.

Using a rope system, a rescuer was lowered to the tree, and the couple was safely lifted one at a time into the helicopter. Applause and cheers erupted from the crowd as the couple was flown to safety.

According to the Nuwakot District Police Office, both individuals are in stable health and have been reunited with their family.