The family of Poonam Thakkar, a woman from Chicago who went missing during catastrophic flooding at the Nepal-China border, is currently in Nepal, desperately searching for her. Poonam was last known to be part of a large group travelling for a Hindu pilgrimage to Mount Kailash when disaster struck on 26 August. This tragedy has left many families, including the Thakkars, grappling with uncertainty as thousands remain unaccounted for.
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Gunjan Thakkar, Poonam’s sister, expressed her determination to bring her sibling home. Speaking to NBC affiliate WMAQ, she stated, “We are very determined to find my sister.” Gunjan revealed that another sister had recently arrived in Kathmandu with two cousins to assist in the search efforts. Their first-hand account highlights the personal toll this tragedy has taken and the family’s resolve amidst despair.
On that fateful Wednesday morning, a glacier collapse in the Himalayas unleashed a surge of ice and rock that triggered devastating flooding across the region. Reports confirmed that this disaster caused widespread destruction, claiming more than 1,000 lives and leaving approximately 4,850 individuals unaccounted for, as per Reuters. The ongoing search and rescue operations are hampered by challenging terrains and weather conditions, complicating efforts to locate missing persons.
Poonam Thakkar had been on a long-planned journey, with the trip set for two years. A childhood friend, Somali Raturi, who was meant to join but had to withdraw due to an injury, spoke fondly of Poonam’s adventurous spirit. Shortly before the calamity struck, Poonam shared a video with her friends, recording the serene flow of a river as she travelled towards the Nepal-China border. In her final message, she assured her friends she was making her way to the sacred site.
Despite the passage of time without information, Poonam’s family and friends remain hopeful. They are holding on to the belief that no news might still indicate something positive. “We are not losing hope,” Raturi remarked, expressing her belief that they would ultimately receive news of Poonam and her fellow travellers.
The group Poonam was associated with, Himalayan Glacier, has been actively providing updates about the situation since the disaster occurred. During the flooding, many members were staying at Hotel Kailash in Rasuwagadhi, while others were travelling perhaps unaware of the impending danger. The travel company verified that communication was lost around 8:30 a.m. local time as the events unfolded, compounding the worries of waiting families.
As search and rescue efforts continue, the Nepali government is focused on saving lives, as stated by Foreign Minister Shisir Khanal in an interview with CNN. However, the overwhelming number of missing individuals has necessitated that families, such as the Thakkars, take matters into their own hands, which is both emotionally and physically taxing.
Amidst the anguish, the Thakkars remain steadfast in their commitment to locating Poonam. Each passing day without news feels like a relentless weight for them, as the uncertainty deepens their fears about her fate. The search efforts by both official bodies and families like the Thakkars are testament to the strength of love and hope in the face of overwhelming adversity.
As rescuers continue to comb the affected areas, the number of missing individuals underscores the severe impact of the floods on communities along the Nepal-China border. The continuation of search efforts demonstrates an enduring hope that more individuals may be found safe in the aftermath of this tragic event.