Hundreds dead and almost 2000 missing after Nepal’s flash floods

The number of Canadian citizens and permanent residents missing since Nepal's flash flooding has reached 32, including Coquitlam couple Sumit and Shubakshi Rawla. Their daughter, Kenisha, revealed the couple were on a guided pilgrimage when they went missing on Aug. 26 morning. "We've been so worried," Kenisha told Global News, adding their parents had made over 200 calls, hoping for any signal from their parents.

The Foreign Affairs Minister, Anita Anand, urged caution as the search continues, affirming no Canadian deaths have been confirmed among the 32 unaccounted Canadians. The Rawlas were traveling with Port Moody residents Dhaval and Megha Shah, who also remain missing. Nikita Shah, Megha and Dhaval Shah's relative, said they last communicated with the group around 8:30 that morning, leaving the fate of the Shahs unknown.

Thousands are still missing, with 579 confirmed dead. The impact of the disaster is evident at a major border crossing into China, where debris and mud cover the area. Tamara Demuria, a humanitarian officer, noted that some communities remain inaccessible due to the severity of the damage. Ottawa has allocated $5 million in humanitarian aid and dispatched five consular officials to Nepal.

Kenisha Rawla expressed her family's desire to see the Canadian government send rescue teams, emphasizing the widespread concern for Canadians in Nepal. Gaurav Subedi of the Nepal Cultural Society of B.C. stressed the importance of community and emotional support for families in such crises.