Several Indians based in the United States, the United Kingdom, and Canada remain missing after devastating flash floods struck near the China-Tibet border in Nepal, disrupting a Kailash Mansarovar pilgrimage. Their families have appealed to both the Indian and Nepalese governments for urgent assistance in locating the missing pilgrims.

Surat Family Loses Contact with Three Members

A family from Surat, Gujarat lost contact with their son — a Florida-based engineer — along with his wife and sister, all of whom were on the pilgrimage. Their mother, Sushila Patel, said the three had arrived in Nepal on 23 August and were scheduled to depart for Mansarovar on 25 August.

'My son, daughter-in-law, and daughter went to Nepal on August 23 and were scheduled to leave for Mansarovar on the 25th,' she said. 'During the last conversation that we had, they told me that their immigration was completed and that they won't be able to talk to me after this (as they were entering China).' Her son-in-law, based in Mumbai, confirmed the three have since been unreachable. The family has appealed to the government for any available information.

UK-Based Doctor from Isha Foundation Group Goes Missing

Dr Meena Gupta, a UK-based doctor and daughter of Chhattisgarh Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leader Karta Ram Gupta, was part of a 77-member group from Sadhguru's Isha Foundation and was reportedly on her way back from the Kailash Mansarovar when she went missing. Her brother-in-law said the family had spoken to her via video call during her 'darshan' at the site, and that her last conversation with her father was on 25 August.

According to the group, she was at the immigration office when the flash floods struck. Her sister, Mamta Mittal, said: 'I appeal to the Indian and Nepalese authorities to provide any possible details about her at the earliest.'

Canada-Based Woman from Madhya Pradesh Also Unaccounted For

Swati Bagrecha, originally from Vidisha, Madhya Pradesh and residing in Canada, was also part of the Isha Foundation group. She had returned to India on 8 August before undertaking the journey to Nepal. Her brother, Dr Prashant Bagrecha, said she reached the immigration office at approximately 9 am on her way back and was last contacted by the group at around 9:05 am, after which she became unreachable following the floods. He confirmed he has spoken to Union Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan and said 'everyone is trying to help at their own level.'

West Bengal Man Missing; Wife Frustrated by Lack of Response

Sandeep Kumar Garai, from Purba Bardhaman, West Bengal, has been out of contact since Wednesday morning following the floods. His wife, Tithi Garai, expressed frustration over the absence of any official update. 'The administration hasn't helped me at all till now. I am not getting any news. What is the administration doing? Yesterday I went and filed a (report) at the police station, and even at the SDO office. They haven't provided any help till now,' she said. She added that while the Bardhaman police station had called her, officials were only requesting documents without providing any information on her husband's whereabouts.

What Happens Next

With multiple families across Gujarat, Chhattisgarh, Madhya Pradesh, and West Bengal awaiting word, pressure is mounting on both the Indian and Nepalese authorities to expedite rescue and identification efforts. The flash floods near the China-Tibet border have severely disrupted communications in the region, complicating search operations. The Ministry of External Affairs has not issued a public statement on the missing Indian nationals as of the time of reporting.