Nepal floods: Aberdeen man's brother, uncle and cousin die

Nepal floods: Aberdeen man's brother, uncle and cousin die

Barun Lamichhane, a 26-year-old Nepalese man residing in Aberdeen, shared with BBC Scotland News the devastating impact the recent flash floods in Nepal have had on his family. He tragically lost his brother, uncle, and cousin in the disaster, though his mother, father, and grandmother survived by escaping to safety. Lamichhane described their harrowing escape, saying they managed to flee by “crawling like a baby” up the hillside.

The catastrophic flooding, which occurred near the Nepal-Tibet border on Wednesday, has resulted in more than 350 confirmed deaths, with over a thousand people still missing. Initial reports suggested the flood was triggered by an earthquake, but subsequent analysis by the US Geological Survey clarified that the seismic activity was actually caused by a landslide. This natural disaster has severely affected many villages, including Lamichhane’s home village of Betrawati, which suffered considerable damage.

Having recently graduated in International Events Management from the University of the West of Scotland, Lamichhane received the news of the devastation while asleep. His sister awakened him with the grim update, telling him, “in our village there is nothing – like everything is gone.” Reflecting on this, he said, “At that time, I’m just a blank, I can’t even think. They are saying that our home, everything, is gone. Nothing is left.” He also expressed concern over losing many friends and neighbors alongside his relatives.

Fortunately, his remaining family members—his mother Tulasha, father Netra Prasad, and grandmother Krishna Kumari—survived the flood despite being scattered when it struck. They are currently taking refuge in a school that has been converted into a shelter for survivors. Lamichhane conveyed the depth of his sorrow, mentioning that he “can’t express” the pain he feels. In the broader context, 33 British nationals, including teenagers aged 13 and 14, are among those reported missing. The UK government has pledged £5 million in aid to Nepal, with officials urging British citizens in the region to stay vigilant and heed local advice as rescue efforts continue

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