Winnipeg man on pilgrimage missing in deadly Nepal-China floods

A 49-year-old man from Winnipeg, Mohit Kaushik, is among 31 Canadians reported missing after devastating floods struck the Nepal and China region on Wednesday. The family has confirmed Kaushik was participating in a sacred pilgrimage to Mount Kailash and Lake Manasarovar, a trek with cultural significance for those who follow Hinduism.

The flooding was triggered by a glacier collapse, resulting in a surge of water that generated the force of a 5.2-magnitude earthquake. Authorities have reported that around 2,000 individuals remain missing, with hundreds confirmed deceased in the aftermath of the flood that hit a popular tourist area along the Himalayan border on Wednesday.

Kaushik's daughter, Kalista, stated on Sunday that the family is not prepared to discuss the situation and is awaiting further information. A friend and neighbor of Kaushik, Swikriti Pokhrel, shared on social media on Friday that the man had gone missing since Thursday while traveling from Timure. The Minister of Foreign Affairs, Anita Anand, informed the public on Saturday that 31 Canadians have not been located.

Ranju Upadhyaya, former president of the Nepali Cultural Society of Manitoba, revealed there are approximately 1,000 Nepalese residents in Manitoba, and they are anticipating additional heartache as more details emerge. Upadhyaya, who was born in Nepal, emphasized that as time goes on, someone will discover they have not heard from their loved ones, particularly for students who arrived in the country without their families, leaving their families back home to grieve.

The community is organizing a fundraising effort to support those impacted by the floods in Nepal. Global News has attempted to gather additional details from the tour company but has not received a response as of the deadline.