23 missing, 18 NRIs: Gujarat families await Nepal call
An official list identifies 23 missing people connected to Gujarat, of whom 18 are NRIs. They were traveling to Kailash Mansarovar via the Kerung route when floods disrupted communications in Nepal, with families awaiting further information.
Key takeaways
- A Friday list identifies 23 missing people with Gujarat roots after a Nepal flood event.
- 18 of the missing are NRIs from multiple countries, traveling to Kailash Mansarovar via the Kerung route.
- Families report last contact before the disruption and are pursuing updates from Nepalese and Indian authorities.
What Happened
An official list published on a Friday indicates 23 people with roots in Gujarat are missing following a flash flood event in Nepal. Of these 23, 18 are NRIs with ties to the United States, Canada, Australia, and New Zealand. The group had embarked on a Kailash Mansarovar journey arranged through the Kerung route. The last communications from some family members were minutes before the flood hit, after which mobile networks reportedly became unavailable in parts of Nepal. Several relatives described attempts to contact the travelers and to verify their safety as they awaited updates from authorities.
Specifically, Sushilaben Patel, 82, said her son Paresh, daughter-in-law Jyoti, and daughter Meenaxi Ramani are among the missing. Paresh is reportedly based in Florida, USA, with a son in college, and Meenaxi resides in Mumbai. The August timeline includes Paresh and Jyoti traveling from Mumbai to Nepal on August 22, with Meenaxi joining them on August 24, and the family last hearing from Meenaxi on August 26 when she said they had cleared immigration and would have limited mobile connectivity subsequently.
The list enumerates missing individuals by name and location, noting 11 people from the United States, four Canadian citizens, three with Australian or New Zealand connections, and five Indian nationals. The names include both NRIs and Indian residents, with a mix of cities such as Anand, Surat, Ahmedabad, Gandhinagar, Kheda, Amreli, Rajkot, and Valsad cited as origins or residences. The Northern Nepal route toward the China border is mentioned as the direction most families were traveling before disappearance.
Why It Matters
The absence of phone contact and the disruption of communications in Nepal's flood-affected areas pose challenges for families seeking information and for authorities coordinating search and safety efforts. The episode highlights the vulnerability of travelers undertaking cross-border religious or pilgrimage trips in disaster-prone regions and underscores the need for reliable contact channels and coordinated government communication with families of missing travelers.
Background
The travelers were part of a Kailash Mansarovar journey, organized to proceed via the Kerung route into Nepal. The timeline indicates departure from India toward Nepal began in late August, with the last confirmed communications occurring on August 26 prior to the flood event that affected northern Nepal and disrupted networks. The families are pursuing information through written inquiries to Nepal’s embassy and the Indian government, as well as the Gujarat state authorities.
Key Facts
- 23 people with Gujarat roots are listed as missing, according to the latest list on Friday.
- 18 of the missing are NRIs, with ties to the US, Canada, Australia, and New Zealand.
- Travelers were connected to Kailash Mansarovar via the Kerung route.
- Last communications from some travelers occurred before the flood-related disruption, with networks reported as unavailable thereafter.
- Names and places of origin or residence include Anand, Surat, Ahmedabad, Gandhinagar, Kheda, Amreli, Rajkot, and Valsad in India.
- Some NRIs are reported to be in Florida (US) and other locations across North America and Oceania.
- The families have written to the Nepal Embassy, the Government of India, and the Gujarat government seeking information.
- The flood events in Nepal caused damage to roads and disrupted communication in affected areas.
What Happens Next
Officials are being asked to provide information on the status and location of the missing individuals. Family members have indicated their intent to pursue updates from Nepal’s authorities and the Indian government, as well as the Gujarat state administration.
Sources reviewed
Project Chintan independently synthesized and analyzed information cross-checked across the sources listed above.
