Bhubaneswar: An Odia couple from Khordha district, who travelled to Nepal on August 22, has gone missing following a massive flash flood in the Bhote Koshi River. Their mobile phones have remained switched off, raising concerns about their safety.
According to the Odisha Government, Sandeep Mohapatra and Siddharthi Kumari Sahu reached Nepal on August 22. The couple originally belongs to Khordha district but has been living in Australia since 2018.
The state government said the couple’s details were collected from Sandeep’s sister and shared with the Ministry of External Affairs for further action. They have not yet been traced.
The couple’s disappearance comes amid a devastating flash flood in Nepal that has left a trail of destruction along the Bhote Koshi River. Nepal Police said 162 bodies had been recovered by Thursday morning, while hundreds of people, including foreign nationals, were still reported to be out of contact.
A girl from Mayurbhanj, namely Kulsum Nigar, has also gone missing in the Nepal floods. Her family members were unable to establish communication with her since Wednesday morning. The Odisha government has informed the Ministry of External Affairs regarding her disappearance.
Meanwhile, other people from Odisha who were in Nepal have been reported safe. Rakesh Kumar Panda, a native of Puri, had travelled to Nepal with two others. According to the Odisha Government, all three are safe and have crossed the Raxaul border post and are returning to India.
A six-member football team from Odisha, along with their coach Halim, had also travelled to Nepal to participate in a football match in Pokhara. The coach has informed authorities that all members of the team are safe in Nepal.
The Odisha Government is continuing efforts to gather information about the missing couple through the Ministry of External Affairs and coordinate with authorities concerned in Nepal.