Gujarat and Odisha NRI Couples Go Missing in Nepal Deluge as Search Operations Urged

Two Indian-origin couples residing in New Zealand and Australia have gone missing amid catastrophic flooding in Nepal, prompting urgent appeals to Indian diplomats for assistance.

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.

What this means for you
The severe flooding in Nepal has highlighted major safety concerns and emergency procedures for families of Indian travelers stranded in the disaster zone.

• Across India: Families of travelers in Nepal should immediately contact the emergency control room established by the Ministry of External Affairs. This will help streamline tracking and updates for the 288 missing Indian citizens.
• In Gujarat (Vadodara): Relatives are gathering flight and tour operator data from the Mumbai booking agency. Family members should stay in direct communication with consular representatives for real-time location tracing.
• In Odisha (Khurda): Relatives of the couple missing since 22 August 2026 are coordinating with state authorities and diplomatic channels. Local help desks are assisting in verifying travel itineraries.
• For International Travelers: NRIs visiting disaster-prone areas must register their location details with their respective embassies upon arrival. Travelers should refrain from visiting affected districts until road and power infrastructure is restored.

Questions & Answers

1. How many Indian nationals are reported missing in the Nepal floods?
A total of 288 Indian citizens are reported missing amidst the massive flooding in Nepal.

2. Who is the missing NRI couple from Vadodara?
The missing couple from Vadodara is Mihir Patel and his wife Kinnari Patel, who permanently reside in New Zealand.

3. Which couple from Odisha has gone missing in Kathmandu?
Sandip Mahapatra and Siddharthi Sahu from Khurda district in Odisha, who have lived in Australia since 2018, are missing in Kathmandu.

4. What is the overall death toll from the floods in Nepal?
At least 359 people have died and over 1,300 individuals remain missing across Nepal due to the severe weather.

5. What action have the families requested from the Indian government?
The families have requested the Ministry of External Affairs and the Indian Embassy in Nepal to coordinate with Nepalese authorities to trace the missing couples.

https://trendkia.com/en/gujarat/nepal-barha-apada-men-vadodara-aura-khurda-ke-pravasi-bharatiya-dnpati-lapata-svajanon-ne-sarakara-se-lagai-guhara-23256
TrendKia — Har trend, sabse pehle.