Tragic Loss of Nine Family Members: Dreams of Moving to the US and a New Home Shattered
News Summary
- A jeep accident in Rolpa’s Jaljala claimed the lives of 20 people on the spot, including nine members of the Jisi family.
- Yam Bahadur and Dropada Jisi, their daughter Yuba, and grandson Divyansh were among nine family members who died while traveling to attend religious ceremonies.
- The Jisi couple had just built a new home and were preparing for their daughter Yuba to depart for the United States before the tragic accident.
18 Chaitra, Kathmandu – Just days before their daughter was scheduled to fly to the United States, the family was also looking forward to moving into their newly constructed home.
To celebrate this joy and perform customary rituals, Yam Bahadur and Dropada Jisi from Ghoreahi Sub-metropolitan City-15 Ratnpur took their daughter, daughter-in-law, and grandchildren—a total of nine family members—out from their home.
They had chosen the special occasion of Chandi Purnima on Friday for this visit. However, a tragic road accident the day before the full moon cast a shadow over their happiness.
The jeep carrying the Jisi couple and other passengers left Rukumkot heading toward Jaljala in Rolpa to participate in worship ceremonies. The vehicle, which had a capacity of 21, crashed on the hilly terrain of Thabang Rural Municipality-1 and 4. Preliminary police investigations attribute the accident to slippery roads caused by rain.
Twenty passengers died on the spot, including nine members of the Jisi family.
Accident Occurred During Religious Visit
According to neighbor and relative Malati Thapa, former policeman Yam Bahadur Jisi and his wife Dropada lived in Ghoreahi-15 Ratnpur. Their 28-year-old daughter Yuba Bisi’s husband, Deepak Budhathoki, holds a US green card, and Yuba was preparing to travel to America on Baishakh 29 to join him.
The family had two reasons for joy: their daughter’s upcoming move to the US, and their long-awaited plan to settle into a new house.
To celebrate, the family was traveling to Jaljala for pilgrimage. Additionally, they intended to inquire about the health of Yuba’s brother-in-law who was ill.
“The family was filled with happiness because Yuba was set to leave for America,” Malati said, “But in an instant, their joy turned into heartbreaking sorrow.”
Yam Bahadur, Dropada, their daughter Yuba, and 10-year-old grandson Divyansh lost their lives. Additionally, their daughter-in-law Tila Bisht Jisi and her two children—7-year-old Janis and 12-year-old Janisa—also died. Tila’s husband Govinda Jisi currently resides in the United States.
Their 25-year-old daughter, Elina Jisi, and her 7-year-old son Sanyog Jisi also perished. Elina’s husband is currently in Italy.
Family Lost Before Moving into Newly Built Home
Yam Bahadur and Dropada Jisi had recently built a new home in Ratnpur, Ghoreahi. Previously, they had lived in a smaller house. Neighbors recall that the family worked hard to construct this larger house.
The couple had planned to move in within days, but they took their final leave from life before ever settling into their new home.
Neighbor Malati Thapa described the Jisi family as one of the happiest and most prosperous in their neighborhood. Most of their sons and sons-in-law are abroad, and there was added happiness about their daughter’s move to America.
“Who would have thought the cheerful family would return like this? It’s hard to believe this happened. This tragedy has left the entire village in mourning,” she said.