Nine Thane, Navi Mumbai Pilgrims Uncontactable After Nepal Flash Floods During Kailash Yatra

Nine pilgrims from Thane and Navi Mumbai undertaking the Kailash-Mansarovar Yatra have become uncontactable following flash floods in Nepal’s Rasuwa and Bhotekoshi region on August 26, raising concerns among their families. The Thane District Information Officer, Manoj Sanap, released a list of the nine missing pilgrims, detailing their last known locations, contact details, and travel information.

The district administration clarified that contact with the tourists has not been established, and officials remain in touch with their family members. No confirmation of their deaths has been made, as their physical locations remain unknown. The Patankar couple traveled as part of a 27-member group, last contacted on August 26 morning.

The Joshi brothers were also part of the pilgrimage, last in contact near the Nepal-China border. Sunil Sudarshan Subhedar, a 68-year-old resident of Dombivli, was last contacted at the Nepal-China immigration office. His son Swanand Subhedar appealed for help in locating his father. The Kalyan couple, Sanjay and Nalini Patil, were last seen leaving Kathmandu on August 25 morning, with their travel group of 31 pilgrims.

Rajanish Natu, a Thane resident, was last contacted near the Tibet-Nepal border on August 26 morning. Yashas Bhand, a 37-year-old resident of Vashi, Navi Mumbai, was traveling towards Timure when his last contact was made on August 26 morning. The floods have raised concerns over pilgrims and tourists traveling through the Rasuwa-Bhotekoshi corridor, particularly those heading towards the Nepal-China border and Tibet.

The Thane district administration is working closely with the families for information on the missing pilgrims' safety.