Mumbai: Anxious relatives of missing tourists from Mumbai and Maharashtra are travelling to Kathmandu, Nepal, hoping to trace family members missing in the flash floods of Aug 26. Other relatives are reaching out through social media hoping some govt authority or local agencies working on the ground in Nepal will network for their safe return.
Former child actor Parzaan Dastur of ‘Kuch Kuch Hota Hai’ fame issued an appeal seeking the whereabouts of his family friend Chetana Gupta (64). He added that Chetana was travelling with a friend’s daughter (50). Aparna and husband Samir Joshi from Thane city made their last contact with family at 7 am Wednesday from the Nepal-China border. Their ‘last seen’ update on WhatsApp was at 8.23 am on Wednesday and since then there is no contact,” said a family member.
“The working couple loved to travel but often took short trips due to work commitments. One told his relatives that the group was heading for immigration, following which contact was lost,” Swanand said.
They are making all the attempts and we are hoping against hope for her safety,” said a family member. His wife Dr Sneha said she and the family are distraught and seeking help from govt authorities in Mantralaya. His son Swanand said the family had not been able to contact him since Wednesday afternoon.
The South Mumbai resident was part of mountaineer Dr Milind Chitley’s Hills and Trails and travelling through Richa Tours. The family has welcomed any help to locate her. Senior gastroenterologist Dr Jay Kotecha from Malad also remains unreachable. Among the missing is Sunil Subhedar, a resident of Palava township, Dombivli. Sunil retired from MSEDCL (Maharashtra State Electricity Distribution Company). “I am worried about his safety. The tourists were in touch with relatives in Mumbai until Wednesday morning. He visited the office of tour organiser Dr Milind Chitley in Andheri but found it closed. Chitley himself was on the tour. This was their longest two-week trip and they excitedly shared some photos on social media.
“Her son and brother have reached Kathmandu on Thursday afternoon, but are unable to go ahead from there.