Missing South Africans in Nepal Flash Floods: Search Efforts Underway

In the aftermath of catastrophic flash floods that struck Nepal, an urgent rescue operation is underway for six South Africans, including a 33-year-old woman from Isipingo, reported missing. The devastating floods, which reportedly resulted from a glacier collapse, have left many families in distress as rescue teams mobilize to locate their loved ones.

Gift of the Givers, a South African humanitarian organization, has assembled an 11-member urban search and water rescue team, poised for deployment to Nepal. The South African government is working to confirm the status of its nationals, with Chrispin Phiri, spokesperson for the Department of International Relations and Cooperation, indicating the complexities involved due to the lack of a South African embassy in the country.

Among the missing is Terricia Govender, who was on a pilgrimage with the Isha Foundation, aiming to reach Mount Kailash. Her mother, Linda, recounted the last conversation she had with her daughter just a day before the floods on August 25. “She was so excited because she got to spend her birthday there,” Linda said, reflecting on Terricia’s enthusiasm for the trip.

Reports have surfaced of a South African couple also unaccounted for, with their daughter alerting Gift of the Givers about her parents being caught in the flood. The couple had been traveling alongside another South African pair. The daughter, overwhelmed by the situation, expressed her fears after learning that her parents were in a building that had been completely swept away by the floodwaters.

The Nepal Tourism Board has confirmed that six South Africans are among the 644 individuals reported missing, including local residents and foreign travelers. The situation is dire, with thousands losing their homes and infrastructure devastated throughout the region.

While Gift of the Givers is ready to assist, they have been advised by Nepalese Disaster Management to stay on standby. Dr. Imtiaz Sooliman from Gift of the Givers noted that helicopter surveillance is currently the only means to assess the situation, as roads remain impassable due to the floods. The organization is also prepared to coordinate with airline companies for logistical support, pending a formal call for international aid.

The flash floods occurred on August 26, with initial reports mistaking the event for an earthquake. The U.S. Geological Survey later clarified that the seismic activity was linked to the glacier collapse that triggered the disaster. As the search for the missing South Africans continues, the international community remains hopeful for their safe recovery.

Source: www.dailymaverick.co.za