Days following a devastating flood in the Timure area of Nepal, relatives of two Metro Vancouver couples are anxiously seeking updates on their whereabouts. Dhaval and Megha Shah from Port Moody and Sumit and Shubakshi Rawla from Coquitlam are among the numerous individuals missing since the flash flood on August 26, which tragically claimed the lives of at least 676 people.
An official statement by Foreign Affairs Minister Anita Anand on Saturday confirmed that one of the 32 Canadians reported missing in Nepal has been found safe, although their identity remains undisclosed. Vikram Khosla revealed that his cousin Shubakshi was embarking on a pilgrimage to Kailash Mansarovar in Tibet to mark her 50th birthday. The couple had been on the brink of commencing their journey when they last spoke with a family member an hour before the disaster struck.
Expressing hope for their safety, Khosla mentioned that the couple, originally citizens of Singapore who relocated to Canada four years ago, have two daughters. Dhaval’s brother, Kheval Shah, disclosed that the pair was lodging at Hotel Kailash near the border on the fateful morning. The family’s last contact with them was during breakfast, just moments before the calamity unfolded.
Shah emphasized the urgent need for the Canadian government to exert pressure on Nepal for enhanced search efforts. Similarly, Khosla voiced frustration over the absence of regular updates and revealed that Shubakshi’s siblings have traveled to Kathmandu in a bid to access the affected site for information.
Demanding a centralized platform for real-time updates on missing persons, Khosla highlighted the necessity for families to have access to timely information. As of recent records, over 3,700 individuals have been rescued, while 2,426 people are still unaccounted for following the disaster. Canada has pledged $5 million in immediate humanitarian aid to support Nepal, with a focus on assisting organizations like the Red Cross in delivering aid to those in need.
