Nepali Woman Prayer Video Misidentified as Recent Flood Footage, Sparks Faith Debate
An old video of a woman praying beside a muddy river has been linked to the August 26 Nepal-Tibet floods, sparking debate over faith rituals, shamanistic traditions and the role of belief during devastating disasters.
The footage, however, dates back to earlier flooding in Kullu, Himachal Pradesh, rather than the recent flash floods along the Nepal-Tibet border that wiped out villages and left hundreds missing.
Its circulation has prompted discussions linking traditional faith rituals, including feeding offerings to nature and even tossing a goat into rivers, with recent political comments on religion. Some people have defended such shamanistic traditions as cultural practices through which communities seek comfort during crises.
The debate comes as survivors recount losing loved ones to sudden torrents, while rescue teams continue searching for missing pilgrims and authorities assess glacial risks.
The circulation of the older Kullu footage alongside reports of the recent Nepal-Tibet border floods has added to the wider public discussion over how religious practices are interpreted during disasters and how older videos can become associated with new incidents when shared online.

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