Days following a devastating flash flood in the Timure region of Nepal, relatives of two Metro Vancouver couples are frantically seeking updates on their whereabouts. Dhaval and Megha Shah from Port Moody, and Sumit and Shubakshi Rawla from Coquitlam, are among numerous individuals missing since the Aug. 26 catastrophe which claimed the lives of at least 676 people.
Anita Anand, the Foreign Affairs Minister, disclosed on Saturday that one Canadian out of the 32 unaccounted for in Nepal has been found safe, although the individual’s identity remains undisclosed.
Vikram Khosla revealed that Shubakshi, his cousin, was in the region for a pilgrimage to Kailash Mansarovar in Tibet, a revered site for various faiths, as a special 50th birthday celebration. He mentioned that the couple had been preparing for their journey when they last communicated with a family member just before the flood occurred.
Expressing hopefulness, Khosla stated that they believe the couple might have sought refuge and are awaiting rescue. The couple, who are citizens of Singapore and relocated to Canada about four years ago, have two daughters.
From Mumbai, India, Dhaval’s brother Kheval Shah recounted that the couple was staying at Hotel Kailash near the border on the morning of the flood, with the last contact being during breakfast, minutes before the disaster struck. He lamented that the hotel is now submerged, leaving no trace behind.
The family is eager to ascertain the couple’s whereabouts during the calamity, emphasizing the importance of closure. They have a 24-year-old daughter. Canada has pledged $5 million in urgent humanitarian assistance to Nepal, aiming to aid organizations like the Red Cross in delivering crucial support to those affected on the ground.
Shah urged the Canadian government to intensify efforts in seeking information from Nepal concerning the missing individuals, echoing the frustration shared by Khosla over the dearth of updates. Shubakshi’s siblings have traveled to Kathmandu, aiming to access the affected area for insights.
Demanding a centralized information hub for families seeking real-time updates, Khosla highlighted the urgency of the situation. By Saturday afternoon, over 3,700 individuals had been rescued, while 2,426 people remained unaccounted for.