Indian American families are urgently searching for loved ones missing after devastating floods and landslides struck near the Nepal-China border, leaving hundreds dead and many more unaccounted for.
A catastrophic landslide and flood have ravaged steep mountain gorges near the Nepal-China border, sweeping downstream and obliterating entire villages. The disaster has resulted in hundreds of fatalities, with over 1,300 individuals reported missing, including 90 Americans, according to a CNN report.
Among those unaccounted for are Deepak Ahuja, 60, and Madhu Ahuja, 57, both American citizens. Their son-in-law, Akash Mahtani, informed NDTV that the couple had traveled from the United States for a pilgrimage with Isha Sacred Walks. They were confirmed to be at the Gyirong immigration facility in Tibet when the floods struck.
The Ahuja couple was returning from the Kailash Manasarovar Yatra as part of Group S3, the 26th travel group, when extreme weather conditions hit the region. Their family is now seeking assistance in locating them, but rescue operations have been hampered by disrupted telecommunications, power supplies, and local road networks.
In a similar situation, Shashidharan Sreedharan has been frantically searching for his wife, Rekha, and their 14-year-old daughter, Rashi. The two were returning from a pilgrimage to Mount Kailash when the floods impacted the Nepal-Tibet border area. “We are desperately waiting for any good news about their whereabouts,” Sreedharan told ANI, noting that the family last had contact with them on August 26.
In Mumbai, Shekhar Agarwal expressed his concerns about his sister, Rekha Shashidharan, and her daughter. “This is the crucial golden hour,” he told CNN, emphasizing that the next two to three days are vital for “quick action” to locate those injured or missing. He urged authorities to communicate promptly with families regarding any developments.
Hikmat Singh Ayer, CEO and senior director of the Nepal Tourism Board, confirmed to CBS News that at least 65 Americans are among the missing foreign nationals in Nepal. In a subsequent update, the tourism board reported that 27 foreign nationals had been rescued from the flood zone in the Rasuwa district, including two U.S. citizens identified as a man and woman in their 50s.
In the United States, Dr. Radhika Sharma has turned to social media to seek information about her parents, Ramesh Sharma, 65, and Neelam Sharma, 64, who have not been heard from since the onset of the floods during their pilgrimage.
Meanwhile, Ritvick Rangu from Virginia has been trying to contact his father since Wednesday. His family has compiled a list of over ten Indian American and Indian Canadian citizens still unaccounted for, sending names, passport numbers, and phone numbers to contacts on the ground in hopes of locating them.
According to CNN, President Donald Trump has stated that the U.S. is prepared to offer “any help” to Nepal, describing the situation as a “terrible” disaster. Countries around the world are mobilizing to provide aid, relief supplies, and assistance.
Currently, more than 700 foreign nationals are accounted for in Nepal and China. The missing individuals come from 31 countries, including the United States, United Kingdom, Australia, Canada, and others, highlighting the widespread impact of this tragic event.
As families continue to search for their loved ones amidst the chaos, the urgency for information and assistance remains critical.
According to CNN, the situation is evolving rapidly, and efforts to locate the missing individuals are ongoing.