Mumbai-based mountaineer goes missing in Nepal flash floods

Dr Milind P Chitlay, a Mumbai-based mountaineer and medical practitioner, is among several people reported missing in Nepal's recent flash floods. His colleagues and fellow trekkers in Mumbai are currently unable to confirm his whereabouts or safety, with communication systems in Nepal currently unreliable. A member of the trekking community stated they only managed to confirm the safety of one group.

Chitlay, who has extensive experience in Nepal, leading numerous trekking groups there, has visited the country over 18-19 times with trekkers from Mumbai and Pune.

The Maharashtra government is actively working to rescue stranded tourists from the region. Seven tourists are currently reported missing, including two from Mumbai and two from Pune, who have stated they are safe in their respective hotels. The state disaster management authorities have shared a link with district collectors, instructing them to gather details of any tourists from their districts who are stranded in Nepal.

This information will then be forwarded to the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) for further coordination with Nepalese authorities.

According to a senior official from the state disaster management cell, it is anticipated that at least 200 people from across the country could be stranded in Nepal, with around a dozen potentially originating from Maharashtra. However, direct communication with the Nepalese government is not possible; this process must be handled through the Central government.