54 Kannadiga tourists stranded in Nepal floods return safely to Karnataka

Fifty-four Kannadiga tourists stranded in Nepal after flash floods washed away roads and bridges returned safely to Karnataka on Saturday night, arriving at Kempegowda International Airport in Bengaluru.

The tourists, from Haveri, Shivamogga and Kadur, had travelled to Nepal a few days earlier. Flash floods damaged roads and bridges, forcing them to halt their journey and leaving several tourists stranded.

They later travelled to Gorakhpur in Uttar Pradesh before flying back to Bengaluru.


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For 28 members of the group, a 30-minute tea break turned out to be a life-saving decision. They had stopped for tea along the road shortly before the floods hit and washed away the stretch they had been travelling on.

The tourists described the incident as a “miracle,” saying the break kept them off the road when the floods struck.

Chief Minister DK Shivakumar spoke to the group on Friday night and assured them of government assistance. He directed senior officials to ensure that Kannadigas returning from Nepal to Delhi received necessary support, including arrangements for onward travel to Bengaluru.

The tourists' return comes amid disruption to road connectivity in parts of Nepal following heavy rains and flash floods, which have affected transport and stranded travellers.