Nepal’s mountain tourism industry faces ‘serious warning’ after Himalayan flood disaster

One week after a devastating flash flood in Nepal, Canadian families remain without answers regarding their loved ones who were among the missing. Neeral Patel, whose cousin Ishan Patel was in Nepal near the border with China when the disaster struck, is pleading for an intensified international response to aid in rescue efforts as time grows increasingly critical.

Ishan Patel, along with his wife Akanksha Patel, his mother Shilpa Patel, and father-in-law Umesh Patel, were on a pilgrimage to Mount Kaliash prior to Ishan starting a new career as an orthopedic surgeon. The flood, which occurred on August 26 and was caused by a glacier collapse, claimed over 1,100 lives and left around 4,400 people missing.

In Kathmandu, the situation is further complicated as landslides and destroyed roads have isolated remote areas, hindering rescue operations. The government has confirmed that 30 Canadians and permanent residents are among the missing, a number that may fluctuate as more information becomes available. Neeral Patel and her family are turning to various online platforms, including Nepal police and missing identity websites, to search for updates on their relative's whereabouts.

They have also sent family members to Kathmandu to investigate potential leads, but the accessibility of the region remains a challenge due to the ongoing devastation. Ottawa has deployed 10 government officials to Nepal to assist Canadians impacted by the flooding and aid in locating the missing. However, Neeral Patel emphasizes the need for a more substantial and coordinated global effort to ensure the safe return of her family members.