5 days ago
Nepal Flash Floods Leave 32 Bengal Mansarovar Tourists Missing
A group of tourists from Bengal was travelling to Mansarovar through Nepal.
Flash floods struck the mountainous region on Wednesday morning.
After that, many families could no longer contact their relatives.
At least 32 people from the group were still missing by Thursday evening.
Some families said their relatives had last spoken to them before the floods.
One family saw a video that might show their missing relative, but officials had not confirmed it.
The missing travellers include older people, couples and people travelling alone.
The Bengal government said it was working with other authorities to find out what happened.
At least 32 residents of Bengal travelling toward Kailash-Mansarovar remained untraced after Nepal’s flash floods on Wednesday morning.
The group comprised 30 tourists from Bengal and two travel-agency managers who had left for Kathmandu on August 21.
Families reported losing contact with relatives between Monday night and Wednesday morning, with many phones switched off.
Those reported missing include former Trinamool Congress MLA Subhranshu Roy’s wife, Sarmistha Bhowmik Roy, and several elderly couples and solo travellers.
The Bengal government said it was coordinating with the Centre, Nepalese authorities and families to determine the tourists’ whereabouts and safety.
- Who
- At least 32 Bengal residents travelling toward Mansarovar, including tourists and two travel-agency managers, were untraced.
- What
- The travellers could not be contacted after flash floods struck Nepal, prompting families and authorities to search for information.
- Where
- The group was travelling through Nepal toward the Tibet border and Mansarovar; the families are across Bengal.
- When
- The floods struck on Wednesday morning; the tourists remained untraced for more than 36 hours by Thursday evening.
- Why
- Communication stopped after the flash floods, and authorities had not yet confirmed the travellers’ locations or safety.
Key facts
- Missing travellers
- At least 32 residents of Bengal
- Group composition
- 30 tourists from Bengal and two travel-agency managers
- Journey began
- The group left for Kathmandu on August 21
- Disaster timing
- Flash floods struck Nepal on Wednesday morning
- Notable missing traveller
- Sarmistha Bhowmik Roy, wife of former Trinamool Congress MLA Subhranshu Roy
- Affected areas in Bengal
- Reportedly include Patuli, Netajinagar, Sonarpur, Santoshpur, Durgapur, Kharagpur, Kanchrapara and Basirhat
- Official response
- The Bengal government said it was coordinating with the Centre and relevant authorities
Quotes
A relative of Samar Mondal
Relative of missing Siliguri trader Samar Mondal
“I talked to him around 7.25am on Wednesday when he said he was heading towards the Immigration Office to obtain the permit to enter the Tibet border. They reached the office around 8am. Around the same time, the flash flood swept through the mountainous region. Since then, his phone has been switched off.”
telegraphindia.com
“This is an unbearable situation. I have been spending every second in anxiety, feeling completely helpless. Her phone is switched off.”
telegraphindia.com
Sources
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