# Odisha Couple Living in Australia Missing in Nepal Floods as State Authorities Mobilize Ministry of External Affairs for Rescue > Disastrous flash flooding in Nepal has left hundreds dead and several missing. An Indian-origin couple from Khurda, Odisha residing in Australia went missing in Kathmandu, while other travelers and a regional football team have been confirmed safe. **Type:** article · **Category:** Odisha · **Published:** 2026-08-27 · **Source:** TrendKia **Canonical:** https://trendkia.com/en/odisha/kathmandu-jalapralaya-ke-bicha-odisha-ka-australia-nivasi-dnpati-lapata-rajya-prashasana-ne-videsha-mntralaya-se-mangi-madada-23209 · **Language:** English **Tags:** Nepal Floods, Odisha, Khurda, Sandeep Mahapatra, Siddharthi Sahu, Ministry of External Affairs, Kathmandu Catastrophic flash flooding triggered by heavy rain in Nepal has unleashed widespread destruction, claiming hundreds of lives across affected regions. Amidst this natural disaster, alarming news has emerged regarding an Indian-origin couple from Khurda district in Odisha who have gone missing during their trip to Nepal. Severe disruption to communication lines and power infrastructure following floodwaters has exacerbated fears for their safety. In response, state government officials in Odisha have initiated emergency protocols in coordination with India's central government to locate the missing citizens. ## Last Known Coordinates Near Immigration Office and Contact Outage The missing individuals have been identified as Sandeep Mahapatra and Siddharthi Sahu, both hailing from Khurda district in Odisha. The couple has been residing in Australia since 2018 and had traveled to Nepal for a holiday trip. According to official travel records, Sandeep and Siddharthi arrived in the capital city of Kathmandu on 22 August 2026. Shortly after severe weather hit the region, both of their mobile phones went completely unreachable. While authorities currently lack exact updates on their present location, preliminary technological data indicates that their last recorded GPS signal was picked up near an immigration office. Family members of Sandeep Mahapatra have furnished crucial personal details and travel itineraries to help rescue teams track their movements. ## Inter-Governmental Coordination via Ministry of External Affairs Following reports of the couple's disappearance, the state administration of Odisha immediately launched official relief tracking measures. Comprehensive background details supplied by the family were formally shared with India's Ministry of External Affairs in New Delhi. This step enables the Indian Embassy in Kathmandu and international emergency responders to deploy targeted search efforts. Simultaneously, the office of the Chief Resident Commissioner of Odisha in New Delhi is maintaining round-the-clock surveillance on the situation, actively communicating with diplomatic channels and disaster relief control rooms in Nepal to safeguard all stranded state residents. ## Safe Return of Puri Resident Rakesh Panda via Raxaul Border Amid the harrowing conditions across flood-stricken areas, positive updates have confirmed the safety of several other travelers from Odisha. Rakesh Kumar Panda, a resident of Puri, had traveled to Nepal alongside two companions. Despite widespread road blockades, all three individuals remained unharmed throughout the torrential downpours. Government updates confirmed that Rakesh and his fellow travelers successfully navigated their way across the international boundary, passing through the Raxaul border post to enter back into Indian territory safely. ## Status of Odisha Football Players and Coach Haleem in Pokhara Reassuring news has also arrived regarding a sports delegation from Odisha currently in Nepal. A six-member football squad accompanied by their coach, Haleem, had traveled to the city of Pokhara to participate in a local football match. Given the severity of the landslides and floods affecting surrounding regions, concerns were raised regarding the team's security. However, the Odisha state government officially confirmed that all six football players along with coach Haleem are completely safe in Pokhara and face no immediate danger. ## Ongoing Rescue Efforts and Multi-Agency Operations in Nepal Continuous rainfall and landslides have severed multiple highway links and telecommunication towers across Nepal, complicating search operations. Odisha state authorities reiterated that ensuring the welfare of all state citizens stranded in Nepal remains a top operational priority. Special rescue units working alongside local search operations continue to track the missing couple, Sandeep Mahapatra and Siddharthi Sahu, with emergency teams aiming to establish direct contact and secure their safe evacuation at the earliest opportunity. ## What this means for you Severe flash flooding and landslides in Nepal have severely disrupted travel safety and international tourism operations across neighboring borders. - **Across India:** Indian citizens planning visits to Nepal must monitor Ministry of External Affairs travel advisories and weather alerts closely. Non-essential travel to hilly regions should be postponed due to extensive damage to roads and telecommunications. - **In Odisha:** Families with relatives currently visiting or stranded in Nepal can connect directly with the Odisha Chief Resident Commissioner's office in New Delhi to receive official updates and coordination support. ## Questions & Answers ### 1. Who is the missing couple from Odisha in Nepal? Sandeep Mahapatra and Siddharthi Sahu, originally from Khurda district in Odisha and living in Australia, went missing in Kathmandu. ### 2. When did the missing couple arrive in Nepal? Sandeep Mahapatra and Siddharthi Sahu arrived in Nepal on 22 August 2026 for a holiday. ### 3. Which other people from Odisha are confirmed safe in Nepal? Rakesh Kumar Panda from Puri and two companions are returning safely via the Raxaul border. Additionally, a six-player Odisha football team and coach Haleem in Pokhara are safe. ### 4. How is the government coordinating the search operation? The Odisha government has shared personal details with the Ministry of External Affairs and the Chief Resident Commissioner's office in New Delhi to coordinate with rescue teams in Nepal. --- _TrendKia — Har trend, sabse pehle.. Machine-readable view; canonical HTML at the URL above._