Nepal flash floods dragged five elephants into raging currents. Three adult jumbos refused to abandon the calves. IAS officer shares how they saved the young ones

A terrifying flood turned into an extraordinary story of survival when five wild elephants were swept into powerful currents and carried towards a barrage in Uttar Pradesh. The herd included three adults and two young calves, who struggled against the rushing water. As the situation became increasingly dangerous, the adult elephants stayed close to the calves instead of leaving them behind. Their ordeal was eventually brought to a safe end after Forest and Irrigation Department teams stepped in.

Three adult elephants stayed with the struggling calves

IAS officer Supriya Sahu shared the dramatic incident on X, describing the elephant herd as “extraordinarily brave” for staying together and protecting its young. According to Sahu, the five-member herd, comprising three adult elephants and two calves, was swept into powerful currents following the devastating floods in Nepal. The animals eventually reached the Girijapuri Barrage in Bahraich, Uttar Pradesh.

The adult elephants remained alongside the calves as the young animals struggled in the strong current. Sahu highlighted their resilience as they battled the rushing water while trying to keep the youngsters safe. The incident was also reported by Hindustan Times, which said the elephants were being carried towards the Girijapuri Barrage by the strong current of the Kaudiyala River, also known locally as the Gerua River. Divisional Forest Officer Apoorv Dixit said the situation was dangerous because the two calves were struggling to stay afloat.

How the elephant herd was rescued

The situation required quick intervention. According to Sahu, Forest and Irrigation Department teams reduced the force of the water at the barrage, creating safer conditions for the herd. The teams then guided the elephants towards the riverbank and eventually back into the forest.

Local reports also said the barrage gates were lowered to reduce the water flow before forest officials guided the elephants away from the barrage and towards safer forest areas. HT reported that the joint operation eventually brought all five elephants to safety. Sahu praised everyone involved in the rescue, calling it an example of what can happen when people respond quickly to protect wildlife.

The rescue unfolded as Nepal battled devastating floods

The elephant rescue came amid a major flood disaster in Nepal. According to ANI, Nepal was struck by massive flash floods following a powerful surge along the Bhote Koshi River, causing widespread displacement and extensive damage to homes, roads, bridges, hydropower facilities and other critical infrastructure. Security and disaster-management agencies, local authorities and health services were mobilised for search and rescue, evacuation, emergency medical assistance and relief operations.

Nepal Embassy sources told ANI that 175 bodies had been recovered, while many people remained missing. The sources said 476 people from 28 countries had been reported missing, although the figures were still subject to verification as search and rescue operations continued.

The embassy sources also said that saving lives and supporting search, rescue, evacuation and relief operations remained the immediate priority.

What triggered the Nepal flash floods?

According to the information provided by Nepal Embassy sources to ANI, the disaster followed a massive debris-laden flood in the Lhende Khola, after a glacier or ice-rock collapse around 20 kilometres northeast of the Rasuwagadhi border point. The torrent surged from the Tibet side into the Bhote Koshi River and tore through areas including Rasuwagadhi, Timure and Syaphru Besi before entering the Trishuli River. The flooding severely affected downstream areas across Rasuwa, Nuwakot, Dhading, Gorkha and Chitwan districts.

The disaster also caused extensive infrastructure damage. According to the ANI report, 35 motorable bridges, 45 suspension bridges and 40 kilometres of paved roads were critically damaged, while authorities continued collecting comprehensive loss data. More recent reporting has continued to show the scale of the disaster.