Indian American families search for loved ones missing in Nepal floods

**Nepal Flood Disaster Leaves Hundreds Dead and More Than 1,300 Missing**

A devastating landslide and flash flood near the Nepal-China border has caused widespread destruction, sweeping through mountain communities and leaving hundreds dead and more than 1,300 people missing. The disaster struck in steep Himalayan terrain, where floodwaters and debris surged through river valleys, destroying homes, roads and entire villages. The scale of the destruction has made rescue operations extremely difficult, with damaged roads, disrupted telecommunications and power outages limiting access to affected areas. Among those reported missing are dozens of foreign nationals, including Americans who were traveling through the region for pilgrimage and tourism. CNN reported that about 90 Americans were among those unaccounted for, although officials have provided varying figures as rescue and identification efforts continue. Two of the missing Americans are Deepak Ahuja, 60, and his wife, Madhu Ahuja, 57. The couple had traveled from the United States as part of a pilgrimage to Mount Kailash and were reportedly at the Gyirong immigration facility in Tibet when the flooding occurred. Their family has appealed for information as communication remains severely disrupted across the disaster zone. The couple was returning from the Kailash Manasarovar Yatra when extreme weather struck the region, according to information provided by their family and the travel group involved. Another Indian American family is also desperately searching for relatives who disappeared during the disaster. Shashidharan Sreedharan has been trying to locate his wife, Rekha, and their 14-year-old daughter, Rashi, who were returning from a Mount Kailash pilgrimage when the floods hit the border region. The family said their last communication with them was on August 26, increasing concerns as the search enters a critical period. Relatives have urged authorities to move quickly, warning that the first few days following a disaster can be crucial for finding survivors. In Mumbai, Shekhar Agarwal also appealed for urgent action while searching for his sister Rekha Shashidharan and her daughter. He described the current period as a crucial window for rescue teams to locate people who may be injured or stranded. Officials in Nepal have been working to determine the whereabouts of missing foreign nationals while continuing rescue and recovery operations in heavily affected areas. Hikmat Singh Ayer, chief executive and senior director of the Nepal Tourism Board, previously said that dozens of Americans were among the missing foreign nationals. A later update from the tourism board said 27 foreign nationals had been rescued from the flood-affected Rasuwa district, including two U.S. citizens. The number of people rescued and accounted for has continued to change as emergency teams gain access to previously isolated areas. Families in the United States are also using social media and community networks to gather information about relatives who have not been heard from. Dr. Radhika Sharma has appealed publicly for information about her parents, Ramesh Sharma, 65, and Neelam Sharma, 64, who lost contact with their family during their pilgrimage. Another family in Virginia has been trying to reach a missing relative since Wednesday, while relatives have reportedly compiled a list of more than 10 Indian American and Indian Canadian citizens who remain unaccounted for. They have shared identifying information with people on the ground in hopes of locating their loved ones. The disaster has affected travelers from numerous countries, adding an international dimension to an already devastating humanitarian emergency. More than 700 foreign nationals have reportedly been accounted for in Nepal and China, while missing travelers have been linked to more than 30 countries, including the United States, United Kingdom, Australia and Canada. The mountainous geography is complicating the response because landslides and damaged infrastructure have cut off several areas. Emergency crews must also contend with unstable terrain and the possibility of additional flooding as they search for survivors. The United States has offered assistance to Nepal as international governments and relief organizations respond to the disaster. President Donald Trump described the situation as a terrible disaster and said the United States was prepared to provide whatever help was needed. For families waiting for information, however, the immediate priority remains locating missing relatives and confirming their safety. As rescue teams continue working through damaged communities and isolated mountain corridors, authorities are attempting to restore communications and reopen access routes. The disaster has also highlighted the risks faced by pilgrims and travelers visiting remote Himalayan areas during periods of extreme weather. With hundreds dead and thousands still unaccounted for, the coming days are expected to be critical for rescue operations and efforts to reunite families with their loved ones.