Published: 16:58 BST, 29 August 2026 | Updated: 22:05 BST, 29 August 2026
Devi Ghat was once a bustling town, known for its market and a temple that attracted thousands of pilgrims each year.
Located on the banks of the River Trishuli and surrounded by lush mountains, it took great pride in its picturesque setting and ancient temple, which sat close to the water's edge.
Dedicated to the goddess Kali, she is known locally as the 'fierce mother' and is associated with destruction.
And in a tragic twist, it was destruction that rained down on Devi Ghat on Wednesday morning as the flash flood decimated this northern area of Nepal, close to the Tibetan border, bringing with it death and widespread devastation.
Buildings in the town have been obliterated as they were washed away by the wall of water that came cascading down the River Trishuli. Others have been left crumbling or sunk in thick mud that reaches the top of broken balconies and roofs.
It is difficult to walk along what is left of Devi Ghat's main road without your feet sinking into the filthy slush below. All around, it is a scene of unimaginable Biblical proportions as the stench of dead bodies and animals fills the air.
Rescuers have been unable to search all the homes, with many locals believed to be dead in the thick mud that engulfed them.
Everyday household contents covered in dirt can be seen hanging off balconies and roofs while the hoofs of dead cattle stick out of the ground. The town's Kali temple was completely destroyed and washed away into the raging waters of the River Trishuli along with at least 100 of its 1,000 residents.
Devi Ghat is dedicated to the goddess Kali, she is known locally as the 'fierce mother' and is associated with destruction
Survivors have flocked to a local school which is acting as a temporary camp
The town was torn to shreds by the floods, with livestock left rotting on top of the mud
Family members waited for news of their loved ones at Maithil army camp
Some of those who survived could be seen bravely wading knee deep in the mud desperately trying to salvage what they can from their homes and shops as they attempt to rebuild their lives.
Anil, who once owned a shop in Devi Ghat market, which looks as if it had been hit by a bomb, said as he clambered over debris: 'I'm just trying to save what I can but virtually all my stock was destroyed by the water. There's nothing left, everything that I worked so hard to build has been taken from me.
