Kathmandu, Sept. 22 -- Pratima Tamang Lama was a headstrong woman who simply could not be persuaded to put herself first. She wore many hats-she was a nurse, a former volleyball player and the vice-chair of Gosaikunda Rural Municipality. Until August 21, Pratima was in Kathmandu for treatment of migraine, with which she was struggling for years. Her husband, KD Lama, had asked her to stay in the capital city for a specialist appointment. But Pratima insisted on returning to Rasuwa, citing urgent municipal work.

On the morning of August 26, Pratima was at her office in Syaphrubesi on the banks of the Bhotekoshi river. Shortly after 9 am, KD, who works at a bank in Kathmandu, received a warning of flood from his aunt living high above the ...