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Episode details

World Service,04 Sep 2026,23 mins

Nepal floods: 'It was like a tsunami'

BBC Conversations

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Survivors of the floods in Nepal share their experiences of escape from the torrent of water that swept through valleys in the Himalayas, killing at least 1300 people. “For me that river valley was where I built my dreams,” Gaurav, who owned a café tells us. “Within a few minutes we lost everything, everything was swept away…and even its colour, it was like wet cement.” Gaurav is joined in conversation by his friend Sakil, who lost his family home in the floods. Extraordinary pictures of the first people to be rescued after nine days have been shared with the world. They were trapped in a hydro-electric power station tunnel with many others. But thousands – including foreign nationals from India, the UK, Australia and the US – are still missing. We also bring together two families, hoping their loved ones will be found. Presenter: James Reynolds BBC producers: Shea Conduct and Isabella Bull. Boffin Media producer: Richard Hollingham Editors: Arja Haikonen and Harriet Oliver A Boffin Media production in partnership with the BBC World Service Outside Source team. (Photo: Gaurav Joshi who lost his café)

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