Kathmandu, Sept. 11 -- When the flood hit ward 5 of Bidur Municipality in Nuwakot on August 26, 38-year-old Bharat Prasad Dahal knew something was wrong from the sound of people shouting and running for safety. Blind, Dahal could not flee on his own. Two or three friends guided him to Pipaldanda, where he and his family took shelter.

"I couldn't see the flood or know how bad it was. I only realised something was happening when I heard people shouting and running," Dahal said. "I couldn't get to safety by myself. Luckily, two or three friends took me by the hand and led me to higher ground."

After the flood destroyed his home, Dahal moved with his family to a holding centre at the Ayurveda and Alternative Medicine Hospital in Bidur. At h...