At least 32 tourists from West Bengal are reportedly missing in Nepal following the devastating flash floods that struck areas near the Nepal-Tibet border. Officials fear the number of missing people could increase as several locations remain inaccessible and communication links have been disrupted.
Several tourists are also believed to be stranded in different parts of Nepal. Back home, worried families are anxiously waiting for updates, hoping their loved ones will return safely.
Bus Carrying Hooghly Tourists Stranded
A group of more than a dozen tourists from different parts of Hooghly district travelled to Nepal by bus bearing registration number WB 37C 9999.
According to sources, the group is currently stranded in the Pokhran Valley area of Nepal, around 120 kilometres from the region worst affected by the flash floods.
With travel routes disrupted and communication uncertain, relatives in Hooghly remain deeply concerned about the safety of the tourists.
Hooghly Man Loses Contact With Family
Among those caught in the crisis is Snehasis Dutta, a resident of Tarakeswar in Hooghly.
Dutta reportedly travelled to Nepal on August 21 through a Tarakeswar-based travel agency as part of a pilgrimage to Mount Kailash and Lake Manasarovar. He later became stranded amid the worsening flood situation.
His family said they were able to speak to him until Wednesday. Since then, all communication has reportedly stopped.
The prolonged loss of contact has intensified fears among his relatives, who are desperately waiting for information about his whereabouts and safety.
Durgapur Couple Also Untraceable
A couple from Durgapur is also reportedly missing following the flash floods in Nepal.
Arindam Gangopadhyay had left for the Manasarovar trip on August 21. The group planned to travel through Kathmandu before proceeding towards Manasarovar.
There has been no contact with the couple since the disaster struck.
According to their family, six people from the area had travelled together on the pilgrimage. Their relatives are now waiting for any information that could confirm their safety.
As rescue operations continue in flood-hit areas of Nepal, families across West Bengal are hoping that stranded tourists will be located and brought back to safety.
