Around 100 pilgrims from Maharashtra who were stranded in Kathmandu after devastating flash floods hit Nepal were safely evacuated through Bihar and sent home by train on August 29. The evacuation was undertaken after the Maharashtra government requested assistance from Bihar, with the Sitamarhi district administration bringing the pilgrims across the Nepal border on August 28.
Acting on Bihar Chief Minister Samrat Choudhary’s directions, and under the supervision of Chief Secretary Pratyaya Amrit and Disaster Management Department Principal Secretary Santosh Kumar Mall, officials arranged their transport, food, drinking water, accommodation and medical care before facilitating their onward journey. The pilgrims reached Patna at around 2.30 am and departed for Maharashtra at about 7.30 am after two additional coaches were attached to the Patna-Purna Express. The pilgrims thanked Bihar authorities for what they described as a prompt, sensitive and coordinated response.
From Nepal Border To A Safe Journey Home
The group was first escorted from the Nepal border to Sitamarhi, where officials provided food, drinking water and other essential assistance. They were subsequently taken to Patna and accommodated at a community hall, where they received food, lodging and medical check-ups during the night. To ensure that all the pilgrims could travel together, Bihar’s Chief Secretary coordinated with the Railway Board, following which two additional coaches were attached to the Patna-Purna Express.
The train carrying the pilgrims left Patna at around 7.30 am on Saturday. Officials said the pilgrims expressed gratitude to the Bihar government and the Sitamarhi and Patna district administrations for helping them return safely. Some reportedly tied rakhis to railway and government officials involved in the operation, underscoring the personal connection that emerged during the humanitarian effort.
Rescue Efforts Continues
The evacuation comes amid a major disaster in Nepal after sudden flash floods struck the Bhotekoshi river system on August 26, causing widespread destruction and leaving thousands dead or unaccounted for. Nepal’s National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Authority reported on August 29 that the death toll had risen to 626, with 2,426 people still unaccounted for, while 4,451 people had been rescued.
The disaster has also affected foreign nationals, including Indian pilgrims, workers and tourists. India has been coordinating with Nepal on rescue and relief operations, with the Ministry of External Affairs saying that Indian nationals have been rescued from affected areas and that further efforts are continuing to trace those who remain unreachable. Earlier, 21 Tamil Nadu pilgrims rescued by the Nepal Army returned to India, while 63 Indian workers from the Trishuli-I hydropower project were also rescued.
The Logical Indian’s Perspective
Disasters do not recognise state borders, languages or identities, and moments of crisis often remind us of the value of cooperation over division. The Bihar government’s assistance to pilgrims from Maharashtra, following a request from another state, is a meaningful example of public institutions putting humanitarian needs first. At a time when Nepal is dealing with immense loss and uncertainty, coordinated action between Indian states, the Centre, Nepalese authorities and ordinary citizens can make a real difference.
Equally important is ensuring that every stranded person receives timely information, dignified care and a safe route home. Such efforts show that empathy is not merely an ideal but something that can translate into practical action when people are at their most vulnerable. As rescue operations continue, how can governments and communities strengthen such cross-border and inter-state cooperation before the next disaster strikes?
This could include establishing permanent emergency coordination channels, maintaining updated databases of vulnerable travellers, conducting joint preparedness drills and ensuring that local administrations have the resources to respond quickly. Clear communication in multiple languages, reliable helplines and transparent public updates can also prevent confusion and reduce anxiety during a crisis.
Most importantly, disaster response must remain centred on people rather than politics, with accountability at every stage, from rescue and medical assistance to transportation, compensation and rehabilitation. The solidarity shown during this crisis should not remain a one-time response; it should become the foundation for stronger regional cooperation and a more humane disaster-management system.
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