Bargarh: Gunnam Jaykrishna, a mechanical engineer from Odisha’s Bargarh district, survived the devastating flash floods in Nepal after being directed to work at an elevated location. His wife, Gunnam Sai Bindu, and their two-year-old daughter Harixa, however, remain missing.
Jaykrishna was working at the Upper Trishuli-1 Hydropower Project in Nepal’s Rasuwa district. On the morning of the disaster, he left his family home for work before being asked to report to the powerhouse, which was situated on higher ground. Shortly afterwards, the area was hit by a sudden surge of floodwater.
Wife and daughter swept away
While Jaykrishna and other workers survived on elevated ground, the settlement where his wife and daughter were staying was reportedly swept away by the floodwaters.
Family members in Odisha were initially unable to contact him and feared that he too had been caught in the disaster. He was later traced and airlifted to Kathmandu along with other survivors. His wife and daughter, however, could not be located.
The family has approached officials seeking assistance in tracing the missing woman and child and helping Jaykrishna return to Odisha. The Ministry of External Affairs has also contacted the family and assured them that efforts were being made to facilitate his return from Kathmandu.
Rescue efforts continue amid devastation
The Nepal floods have caused widespread destruction across the affected Himalayan region, leaving thousands dead or missing and severely damaging homes, roads and hydropower infrastructure. Rescue teams are continuing operations despite difficult terrain and large quantities of debris.
For Jaykrishna’s family in Odisha, the search remains deeply personal as they wait for news of Sai Bindu and Harixa.