Kathmandu: An Indian-origin American couple who travelled to the Himalayas for the Kailash Mansarovar pilgrimage has gone missing after devastating flash floods struck the Nepal-Tibet border region. Deepak Ahuja, 60, and his wife Madhu Ahuja, 57, were returning from the pilgrimage when communication with their family was lost.
Couple was returning from pilgrimage
The couple, who are American citizens and Overseas Citizens of India (OCI) cardholders, had travelled from the United States as part of an Isha Sacred Walks pilgrimage group. They were part of Group S3 and were returning towards Nepal after completing their journey to Kailash Mansarovar.
According to details shared with NDTV, Deepak and Madhu were last seen in Saga, Tibet, where they met Sadhguru along with members of their group before travelling towards the Nepal border.
Their phone was reportedly last detected at around 9 am on August 26 at the Gyirong Immigration Facility in Tibet, shortly before the devastating floods and mudslides hit the region.
Family waits anxiously for news
The couple was expected to cross from Gyirong into Timure in Nepal before travelling through Rasuwa towards Kathmandu. They were then scheduled to return home via Delhi.
However, the disaster destroyed roads, bridges and other infrastructure across the region, while telecommunications and power supplies were severely disrupted. These conditions have made it difficult for families and authorities to establish the whereabouts of people caught in the disaster.
The Ahuja family has appealed for information as rescue teams continue searching affected areas. Their disappearance has added to the growing concerns surrounding foreign pilgrims and tourists caught in the Himalayan disaster.
Rescue efforts continue amid growing fears
The flash floods and landslides have caused extensive destruction across Nepal and Tibet, with hundreds killed and many more still missing. Rescue teams are using helicopters, search personnel and other emergency resources to locate survivors and recover those who remain unaccounted for.
For the Ahuja family, however, the immediate hope remains simple — to receive word that Deepak and Madhu have survived and can be brought safely home.