Catastrophic flooding and massive landslides triggered by torrential rainfall have wreaked havoc across Nepal, taking the lives of at least 359 people and leaving more than 1,300 missing. Among those unaccounted for in the disaster-struck region are 288 Indian nationals. The tragedy has hit home for families in Gujarat and Odisha, following confirmation that two Non-Resident Indian (NRI) couples traveling in Nepal have vanished under mysterious circumstances after communication channels collapsed.
Vadodara Couple Residing in New Zealand Untraceable After Nepal Visit
The missing couple from Gujarat has been identified as Mihir Patel and his wife Kinnari Patel. Originally hailing from Vadodara, the couple had been residing permanently in New Zealand. They arranged their Nepal vacation through a travel agency based in Mumbai and arrived in the Himalayan nation shortly before the torrential rain triggered severe inundation. Although they initially remained in regular touch with their relatives, all telecommunication links were abruptly severed once the flood situation worsened.
Family Urges External Affairs Ministry and Indian Embassy to Intervene
Distressed by the sudden loss of contact, Kinnari Patel's brother, Chirag Patel, made an urgent appeal to both the Gujarat state government and the Central government. He has requested the Ministry of External Affairs and the Indian Embassy in Nepal to coordinate directly with Nepalese authorities to accelerate search and rescue efforts. Concurrently, the family is attempting to retrieve crucial tracking data from the Mumbai travel agency, including their last known geographical coordinates, hotel reservation records, and tour guide details.
Odisha Couple Residing in Australia Missing in Kathmandu
In a parallel development, another NRI couple from Khurda district in Odisha has gone missing in the flood-affected nation. Sandip Mahapatra and his wife Siddharthi Sahu, who have been living in Australia since 2018, arrived in Nepal's capital, Kathmandu, for a holiday on 22 August 2026. Shortly after their arrival, their mobile phones were rendered unreachable, leaving their families in Odisha in deep angst as the toll from the deluge continues to climb.
Widespread Communication Breakdown Hinders Relief Efforts
The severe weather has caused extensive damage to power lines, cell towers, and road networks across Nepal, complicating search operations for missing tourists. Emergency teams are working under hazardous conditions to establish contact with stranded travelers. Official channels continue to work alongside local disaster response units to track the 288 missing Indian citizens and ensure their safe evacuation.
