Retired Gauhati University Professor Dipali Sarkar and her husband, Manash Kumar Ghosh, are among the tourists reported missing after devastating flash floods struck Nepal on August 26.
Sarkar, who retired as the Head of the Department of Physics at Gauhati University, had travelled with her husband as part of a 32-member Kailash-Manasarovar pilgrimage group from Kolkata. The couple joined a 12-day package tour organised by Kolkata-based Chalo Jai Travel, which departed from Howrah Station on August 21.
The group comprised 30 tourists and two tour managers. Their journey initially proceeded smoothly through Kathmandu before they travelled towards Syabrubesi and the Rasuwagadhi border.
Tragedy struck at Rasuwagadhi at around 8:35 am IST on Wednesday, when a sudden flash flood swept through the area. According to the travel agency, contact with the group was lost at around 10:30 am and has not been re-established since.
Sarkar and her husband are among those whose whereabouts remain unknown. Their flat at Basera Apartment in Lankeshwar, Guwahati, is currently locked, while their daughter, who lives in Delhi and is studying medicine at AIIMS, is anxiously awaiting news of her parents.
The couple’s disappearance has caused concern among their family members, former colleagues and local residents. Kuntala Patra, a fellow retired Gauhati University professor, said she last spoke to the couple on August 21 and has been unable to contact them since.
Patra said she had contacted the Indian Embassy in Nepal but had not received any information about the couple’s whereabouts. She has appealed to the government to take immediate steps to trace and rescue Indian nationals who remain stranded or missing in Nepal.
Meanwhile, the Assam State Disaster Management Authority (ASDMA) said five of the 16 people from Assam reported missing after the flash floods have been confirmed safe.
The five confirmed safe are Pankaj Barman and Samar Bezbarua, both from Nalbari district, and Shiva Marak, Sarbison Marak and Elipson Sangma, all from West Karbi Anglong district.
Apart from Dipali Sarkar and Manash Ghosh, Dr Tirtha Chaliha of Nalbari Medical College and Hospital is also among those reported missing.
The other eight missing persons are Rhituopurno Brahma, Montri Basumatary, Soneswar Narzary, Rahul Daimary, Shatadal Nath, Pankaj Naug, Arun Mahanta and Birson Sangma.
Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma said the government was in touch with the families of the missing persons and coordinating with relevant agencies to ensure their safety and facilitate their earliest possible return home.
“Efforts are underway to establish a connection with them and safely rescue them,” he said.
