Families of 33 Missing Britons Rush to Nepal Amid Rising Flood Threats

Families of 33 missing Britons are racing to Nepal as fears rise that a second wave of flooding could strike the region. The catastrophic flash floods that devastated Nepal and Tibet on Wednesday have already claimed at least 538 lives and left more than 1,500 people missing, many of them foreign tourists who were trekking or pilgrimage‑seeking in the mountains.

The missing Britons were last seen in the Rasuwa district, a remote area where power and communication lines have gone down. Relatives are scrambling to book flights to Kathmandu, the capital, and are attempting to reach loved ones who may still be trapped in the flooded valleys. The British government has confirmed that 33 citizens are among those unaccounted for, and families are urging authorities to accelerate search and rescue operations.

Authorities in Nepal and China have issued warnings that a second surge of water could hit the border region. Chinese officials said a mudslide on the Tibet‑Nepal frontier had created an artificial lake that threatens to overflow and send flood waters downstream. Nepal’s disaster management agency reported that a similar lake formed by debris blocking a river at the flood site is rising and could burst, prompting residents who had already returned to Rasuwa to be told to evacuate. Rescue teams have temporarily halted searches as they assess the risk of a new wave of flooding.

Among the missing Britons are members of several organised groups. An Isha Foundation pilgrimage group led by spiritual leader Jaggi Vasudev reportedly lost 80 members, including nine British participants. Neetu Goyal Tiwari, 51, was one of those missing; her brother Naresh Goyal told the BBC that completing the pilgrimage had been her dream. Her nephew Anmol Goyal said that Neetu had been last seen at an immigration centre on the Tibet‑Nepal border and that she had been added to Nepal’s official missing‑persons list. The family, based in India, is attempting to contact contacts in Nepal but suspects she may still be in China.

Fishtail Tours and Travels confirmed that 53‑year‑old Leena Bector of Slough was among 27 unaccounted travellers. Her husband Bhupesh Bector said he was booking a flight to Kathmandu after the Home Office could not confirm whether Leena had been placed on the missing‑persons list. He added that even if she were found, he wanted to be there to support her.

Other missing Britons include 18‑year‑old Spandan Sahu from Surrey and his father Santosh Sahu, 46, who run a UK pharmaceutical technology company; their mother Surabhi Manmath Padhy, 44, and sister Syna Kumari Sahu, 13, are also unaccounted for. Senior nurse Sarada Simkhada of Dartford, Kent, who left for a religious journey last Saturday, remains missing. Deepesh Patel’s parents, Bipin Patel, 66, and Mala Patel, 60, from Coventry, vanished after flying to Nepal on 22 August for a pilgrimage, and his brother Anant Patel said he was “shocked” by the lack of information.

Vikram Kolagatla of London said he had not heard from his wife Geetha Reddy, who was staying at Hotel Kailash in Rasuwagadh when the floods hit. He added that he had two daughters whose schools would start next week. Tatjana Phillips of Folkestone could not reach her sister Julija Jakovicka, who was attending a yoga and meditation retreat near the border.

Several tour operators have reported that groups of British pilgrims were swept away. Alpine Eco Trek said it could not contact a party of 12 Britons aged 13 to 65 who had booked a tour to Mount Kailash. Kailash Journeys confirmed it had not been able to account for seven UK nationals on its itinerary. Leaf Holidays reported that its group of 55 travellers, including two Britons, remained missing. The Trekkers’ Society said nine UK nationals on a pilgrimage were unaccounted for, with four men and five women missing.

The Non‑Resident Nepali Association in the UK launched an emergency fundraising appeal on Thursday, raising more than £12,000 to support families. Rajendra Pudasaini, a nurse in Essex and president of the association, told BBC Radio 4 that Nepal was suffering “an irreplaceable loss” and that the country was paying a heavy price for global warming. He said many of his own family members were missing and that bodies had been found buried under mud in houses.

The situation remains fluid as authorities monitor the risk of a second surge of water. Families continue to call contacts and hope that rescue teams can locate the missing Britons before the floodwaters rise again. The British government has urged all citizens in Nepal to stay in safe areas and to follow local authorities’ instructions.