After enduring a harrowing nine-day ordeal trapped inside a hydropower tunnel and a subsequent week of medical treatment, Sanjay Sah has finally returned to his roots in Tilathi Koiladi. The 30-year-old mechanical foreman, who was pulled from the wreckage of the Upper Trishuli 3A Hydropower Station after the recent catastrophic glacial collapse, described his return as a profound release. Having spent over a week in the dark, surviving on floodwater and seepage before his rescue, Sah admitted that even the hospital in Kathmandu felt like a cage. Back in his village near the Indian border, he expressed a sense of true liberation, eager to reconnect with the familiar surroundings of his home and family.

The atmosphere of his arrival was a bittersweet mix of jubilation and mourning, as the village grapples with the loss of many others who remain missing in the aftermath of the disaster. During an emotional ceremony, his family greeted him with traditional rituals, washing his feet and embracing him amidst tears of relief. Despite his personal miracle, Sah remains acutely aware of the tragedy surrounding his community, noting that several families in his village are still desperately awaiting news of their loved ones. While he intends to spend time healing with his family, Sah remains steadfast, indicating that he is prepared to return to his professional duties should he be called upon.