A catastrophic flash flood and mudslide along the Nepal-Tibet border region has left hundreds missing, including a U.S. couple from New York traveling as pilgrims to Mount Kailash. Dr. Radhika Sharma, a gastroenterologist, took to social media to seek urgent assistance in locating her parents, 65-year-old Ramesh Sharma and 64-year-old Neelam Sharma, who are currently unaccounted for following the disaster.
Appeal from the Sharma Family
Pilgrimage to Mount Kailash: The couple was traveling to the sacred pilgrimage site in Tibet when the disaster struck.
Social Media Plea: In her Instagram post, Dr. Sharma appealed for any direct contacts in Nepal, Gyirong, Tibet, local hospitals, rescue operations, or media outlets to help locate her parents, noting she would greatly appreciate any domestic or international assistance.
Official Status: While the U.S. State Department confirmed it is tracking the situation and aware of affected Americans, it remains unclear if the Sharmas are officially included in the broader tally of missing U.S. citizens.
Scale of the Himalayan Border Disaster
Casualties and Missing: Nepalese authorities reported that 157 bodies had been recovered, while over 400 tourists remain missing, including approximately 340 foreign nationals.
Nationalities Impacted: According to a Nepal Tourism Board spokesperson, the missing include 47 individuals from the United States, 133 Indian pilgrims headed to Mount Kailash, as well as travelers from Australia, Britain, and Canada. Across the border in Tibet, Chinese state broadcaster reports confirmed 3 deaths and 265 missing in Gyirong County.
Trigger and Impact: Satellite imagery and the U.S. Geological Survey indicated that the disaster was triggered by a massive collapse of glacial ice and rock—rather than a preliminary earthquake—which sent a debris-laden torrent down the Lhende River. The flood destroyed homes, roads, bridges, and hydropower infrastructure, leaving areas like Syapru Besi and Timure inaccessible to rescue helicopters.
Rescue and recovery operations are ongoing as authorities struggle to reach cut-off communities and families await news of missing relatives.
