Nepal flood fury: How greenhouse survived catastrophic floods? Owner narrates tale of 40-year-old house
The survival of the green house sparked a lot of discussion on social media, with many people wondering why it remained standing while nearby structures were completely washed away.
PTC News Desk: As powerful floodwaters swept away vehicles, buildings and belongings along Nepal’s Trishuli River, a 40-year-old green house in Nuwakot district remained mostly standing. The house became one of the most striking images of the devastating flash flood on August 26.
For its owner, Prakash, the fact that the house survived was nothing short of a miracle. As the floodwater surrounded the building and reached its upper floors, he feared that the house would collapse.
The survival of the green house sparked a lot of discussion on social media, with many people wondering why it remained standing while nearby structures were completely washed away. Prakash believes its strong construction, especially its foundation, helped the house survive.
"It is an old house, around 40 years old. At that time, the quality of cement and other construction materials was better," he said. He added that the foundation had been built carefully because the house was located close to the river.
Rescued with pipe
Prakash and his family remained trapped inside the house for about one to one-and-a-half hours as the flood reached its peak. They stayed at the highest point of the building to remain safe.
When the water level dropped slightly, people from a nearby toll area came to help them.
"Some people from the toll area came and placed a pipe between the buildings. They used the pipe and a rope to reach us from the other side. That is how we were rescued," Prakash said.
The family managed to survive, but they lost vehicles, shop supplies and many household items in the flood.
"Everyone is safe. We are currently staying in Kathmandu," he said.
The family now has to rebuild their lives after losing most of their belongings.
"Whatever was here has either been destroyed or buried in the mud. We will now have to rebuild everything," Prakash said.
Despite the destruction, Prakash said his family is willing to start again from the same place.
"Yes, we will try to start again," he said.
The house, located on the road from Nuwakot towards Rasuwa, survived while almost everything around it was destroyed by the flood. However, the grocery shop on the ground floor of the building suffered major damage from the floodwaters.