The search continues for dozens of British nationals missing after severe flooding struck areas near the Nepal-China border, including the Tibetan region. The disaster, which occurred last week, has resulted in at least 675 deaths and nearly 3,000 people missing in Nepal, with additional casualties reported on the Chinese side.
Among the missing are 33 British tourists and pilgrims, many of whom were part of organized groups visiting the sacred Mount Kailash in Tibet. This mountain is a significant pilgrimage site for followers of Hinduism, Buddhism, Jainism, and the Bon tradition. The pilgrims typically undertake a multi-day trek around its lower slopes, crossing several valleys. British relatives of those missing have faced difficult decisions about whether to travel to Kathmandu and join search efforts or remain at home awaiting news.
Families such as that of Deepesh Patel are waiting anxiously for updates. Patel’s parents, Bipin and Mala Patel, both in their 60s, were part of a tour group arranged by Alpine Eco Trek when the floods struck. Despite confirmation that the group crossed the border into Tibet, no contact has been made since, leaving relatives in distress amid limited information. Several other British missing persons were travelling with different tour operators, including a group led by a Hindu priest from the Sanatan Mandir and Community Centre in London. Among them were members of the Sahu family from Surrey, including 13-year-old Syna Kumar.
Other British nationals unaccounted for include healthcare professionals such as Sarada Simkhada, a senior nurse in Kent, and Pravin Atmakur, an NHS psychiatry consultant, as well as several others from London-based families. The UK government has responded by deploying a Rapid Deployment Team to Kathmandu to support British nationals and coordinate with Nepali authorities. Alongside this, the British government pledged £5 million in aid aimed at flood relief.
Relatives like Pramod Poudel, whose wife and extended family are missing following the floods in the village of Sole in Nepal, have traveled to the region in hopes of locating loved ones. Poudel described widespread devastation, noting that almost all homes and residents of his village were lost. Travel within the affected regions remains challenging, complicating search and rescue operations.
The disaster has also had a significant humanitarian impact across Nepal, with some 93,000 people affected. Officials on both sides of the border have acknowledged the scale of the tragedy and the ongoing risk of further flooding has lessened but remains a concern. Nepalese authorities have indicated that billions of dollars will be required for recovery and rebuilding efforts in the months ahead.
British Foreign Secretary Ed Miliband emphasized the government’s commitment to prioritizing the safety and welfare of British nationals in the region. UK embassy staff, emergency responders, and aid workers are working together with Nepali officials to provide updates, assistance, and support to those affected by the floods and the ongoing search efforts.