Deadly Floods and Landslides Strand Bangladeshi Actors in Nepal
Severe floods and landslides in Nepal have resulted in 95 fatalities and hundreds of missing persons, stranding Bangladeshi film actors including Apu Biswas. The artistes are currently safe in Pokhara while awaiting flights to Dhaka.
Devastating floods and landslides have struck Nepal, claiming the lives of 95 people and leaving widespread destruction in regions including Pokhara and Kathmandu. According to reports from organizations such as AFP, BBC, Nepal Tourism Board, Nepal Police, the Prime Minister's Office, the Nepal Army, Nepal TV, and Radio Nepal, the disaster has triggered a massive humanitarian crisis with approximately 384 to 403 tourists reported missing overall.
Amid this catastrophic natural disaster, a team of Bangladeshi film artistes—including actress Apu Biswas, Kamruzzaman Roman, Murtaza Palash, Rajatava Dutta, and Shyam Bhattacharya—has become trapped in the Himalayan nation. The film crew had traveled to Nepal for shooting purposes when the floods and landslides abruptly disrupted normal transport and communication networks across the affected areas.
Speaking on the situation, actress Apu Biswas confirmed their current safety in a statement. "Nepal is experiencing sudden floods resulting in reports of hundreds of foreign tourists going missing," Biswas said, noting that her film team for 'Shikar' is currently stationed in Pokhara. She added that the highway connecting Pokhara to Kathmandu has been severely damaged, with estimates suggesting it will take about a month to repair.
Detailing their evacuation plans, Biswas explained that their transport vehicles have been arranged and they intend to travel to Kathmandu. "Tomorrow we will go to Kathmandu. There is a huge rush on flights. We plan to return to Dhaka on Friday's flight from Kathmandu," she stated. Expressing her anxiety to return home, she added, "Without worrying about me, I ask everyone for prayers so that I can safely return to my child in the country."
The broader catastrophe involves massive international casualties and missing persons figures released by local authorities and media outlets. Official tallies indicate that foreign nationals account for between 291 and 341 of the missing individuals, which includes between 105 and 133 missing Indian citizens. Furthermore, the identities of 111 individuals remain unconfirmed as rescue and recovery operations continue under the supervision of local security forces and government bodies like Balendra Shah's administration.
