One month following a tragic flooding incident in Nepal, a family from British Columbia is among several Canadians patiently awaiting updates. The Canadian Press reports that more than 1,400 bodies have been found and over 5,600 individuals are still unaccounted for a month after a catastrophic flash flood hit the Himalayan border between Nepal and Tibet on August 26.
Global Affairs Canada disclosed that 29 Canadians and permanent residents are still missing as of Saturday. Among them are Sumit and Shubakshi Rawla from Coquitlam, B.C., as confirmed by family members. According to Shubakshi’s cousin Vikram Khosla, the couple, along with their two daughters, were in India visiting relatives at the time, with Sumit and Shubakshi embarking on a trek to Kailash Mansarovar in Tibet, a revered site for Hindus, Buddhists, and others. The family last heard from them approximately an hour before the flood occurred, and there has been no communication since.
The daughters have returned to Canada, where various family members are taking turns caring for them. Khosla expressed the family’s sense of helplessness and the emotional toll of the situation, emphasizing the ongoing hope for positive news. He described the missing couple as compassionate individuals who played an essential role in their family.
The Canadian government continues to collaborate with authorities in Nepal and China to aid in locating the missing Canadians and supporting affected families. Privacy concerns restrict the release of further details, with the government refraining from discussing ongoing communications with the families. While Global Affairs Canada did not specify the number of missing Canadians from British Columbia, reports indicate another missing couple from Port Moody, Dhaval and Megha Shah.
Despite the lack of updates, the family remains optimistic that Sumit and Shubakshi will be found. Khosla emphasized the community’s daily prayers and unwavering hope for a positive outcome, highlighting the couple’s kindness and the deep impact of their absence on their loved ones.