Bhubaneswar: Three members of a family from Odisha’s Baragada district are feared missing following the devastating flash floods in Nepal, officials said on Friday.
The missing persons have been identified as Gunnam Jayakrishna, his wife Gunnam Sai Bindu Kumari and their two-year-old daughter. They are reported to be residents of Sarla village under Jampali Gram Panchayat of Baragarda.
According to information, Jayakrishna was working at a hydro project in Nepal. The family members have been trying to contact them following the massive flash floods and mudslides, but have been unable to establish communication.
Baragada Collector Aditya Goyal confirmed that a couple from Sarla village and family members are currently reported missing in Nepal.
The district administration has informed the state government about the incident and efforts are underway to coordinate with the authorities concerned for their safe rescue and evacuation from Nepal.
The development comes as Nepal continues to grapple with the aftermath of a massive flash flood in the Bhote Koshi River, which has caused widespread destruction and left several people missing.
With the three people from Baragada district, the number of people from Odisha reported missing in the Nepal disaster has now risen to five.
Earlier, a couple from Khordha district and settled in Australia, who travelled to Nepal on August 22, remained missing following the flash flood. Sandeep Mohapatra and Siddharthi Kumari Sahu had reached Nepal on August 22. The couple originally belongs to Khordha but has been living in Melbourne since 2018.
Their mobile phones have remained switched off, raising concerns among their family members. The Odisha Government said the couple’s details were obtained from Sandeep’s sister and shared with the Ministry of External Affairs for further action.
The couple has not yet been traced. One more girl from Mayurbhanj district had gone missing in Nepal following the disaster. As per the lastest report, the 22-year-old Kulsum Nigara is safe.
The flash floods have devastated several areas along the Bhote Koshi and Trishuli river systems, damaging roads, bridges, hydropower facilities and other infrastructure.