Zillar Barta,Devighat, Nepal: The devastating aftermath of last week’s flash floods is becoming increasingly visible in Devighat village in Nepal’s Nuwakot district, where drone footage shows homes, roads and other structures buried beneath thick layers of mud and debris.
The village was among the areas badly affected by the August 26 disaster, when a massive surge of water, rocks, ice and mud swept through valleys along the Nepal-China border. The powerful debris flow destroyed homes, bridges and infrastructure, leaving parts of Devighat almost unrecognisable.
Aerial footage recorded in the days following the disaster shows large sections of the settlement covered in mud, with damaged houses and a broken bridge visible along the river. Thick silt has filled streets and entered buildings, while residents continue to search through the wreckage for belongings and anything that can be recovered.
As the immediate emergency response continues, cleanup operations have begun in parts of Devighat. Heavy machinery and local residents are working through the mud and debris, attempting to clear access routes and recover possessions from damaged homes.
The disaster has also triggered a major rescue and recovery operation across Nepal. Authorities say hundreds of people have died and thousands remain missing, while more than 11,000 people have been rescued. Rescue teams are continuing to reach remote areas affected by destroyed roads, bridges and difficult terrain.
For Devighat residents, however, the disaster has left a long road to recovery. Entire sections of the once-busy settlement have been transformed into fields of mud and rubble, with many families facing the loss of their homes, livelihoods and possessions.
The drone images offer a stark picture of the scale of destruction and the enormous challenge ahead as Nepal moves from rescue operations toward cleanup, recovery and rebuilding.
