Two Ladysmith couples, East London woman among six South Africans missing after Nepal - Tibet floods

Four residents of Ladysmith and a woman from East London are among the six South Africans reported missing after flash floods and mudslides near the Nepal-Tibet border. The missing individuals include Surendranath Maharaj, 74, and his wife Anitha Devi Maharaj, 67, along with Vivaganathan Pillay, 66, and his spouse Janet Pillay, 56.

All three couples were traveling together on the Kailash Mansarovar pilgrimage route near the border when the disaster struck on Wednesday. Additionally, Bavika Ramjee from East London and Terrica Govender, 33, of Isipingo Beach are also among the missing. Experts believe the entire family went missing when an immigration office on the border was washed away by the flash floods.

Communication lines remain down, preventing families from reaching their loved ones since the flooding occurred on Wednesday. The situation is particularly urgent for Anitha Devi Maharaj, as her family states she requires her insulin, highlighting the urgency of rescuing her and ensuring access to her medication. Rescue teams are continuing efforts to locate hundreds of people reported missing across the region, with local infrastructure severely damaged.

The Maharaj family's plight has been underscored by their appeal for any information about their missing relatives to come forward.