SUSHILABEN PATEL, 82, is anxiously waiting for news about her son, daughter, and daughter-in-law, who have been missing since August 26. They were on a journey to Kailash Mansarovar when they last contacted her, stating they had cleared immigration and would soon be out of reach due to network issues. Since then, devastating flash floods in Nepal have raised concerns about their safety.

Missing Individuals

According to a list compiled by the State Emergency Operation Centre on Friday, 23 people with roots in Gujarat are reported missing, with 18 of them being Non-Resident Indians (NRIs). Among these NRIs are citizens from the United States, Canada, Australia, and New Zealand, many of whom were traveling through the Kerung route.

Sushilaben last saw her son, Paresh Patel, 58, and daughter-in-law, Jyoti, 54, during her husband Natvarlal’s death anniversary last year. Paresh, who resides in Florida, has a son, Rushabh, currently in college. Her daughter, Meenaxi Ramani, 61, lives in Mumbai. Sushilaben, who lives alone in Surat, has reached out to the Nepal Embassy, the Government of India, and the Gujarat government for information about her family.

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"On August 20, Paresh and Jyoti came to India and booked a tour for Mansarovar. On August 22, they left for Nepal from Mumbai. On August 24, my daughter Meenaxi joined them. On the morning of August 26, I last spoke to Meenaxi and she told me, 'We have cleared immigration to go to Mansarovar, and from now on mobile network will not be available.'"
— Sushilaben Patel