9 Pilgrims From Thane and Navi Mumbai Uncontactable After Nepal Flash Floods
Nine pilgrims from Thane district and Navi Mumbai undertaking the Kailash-Mansarovar Yatra have remained uncontactable following flash floods in Nepal's Rasuwa and Bhotekoshi region on August 26. The missing residents hail from localities including Naupada and Adharwadi Chowk in Kalyan West, as well as Dombivli and Vashi.
According to an official list released by Thane District Information Officer Manoj Sanap, the uncontactable individuals include Rekha Satish Patankar, Satish Vinayak Patankar, Aparna Samir Joshi, Samir Mukund Joshi, Sunil Sudarshan Subhedar, Sanjay Rajmal Patil, Nalini Sanjay Patil, Rajanish Raghunath Natu, and Yashas Bhand. The district administration confirmed that while contact has not been established, officials remain in touch with family members. Authorities emphasized there is no confirmation of deaths and their physical locations remain unverified.
Among the travellers, Rekha and Satish Patankar of Thane were travelling in a 27-member group. A member of their group last contacted relatives at 8:27 am on August 26, reporting they had reached the Chinese immigration point. Aparna and Samir Joshi, residents of Ghantali Society in Naupada, were last heard from around 7:00 am on August 26 near the Nepal-China border before communication ceased.
Sunil Sudarshan Subhedar, 68, a resident of CasaRio Palava in Dombivli travelling through Andheri-based tour operator Hills and Trails, made his last contact at 8:28 am from the Nepal-China immigration office. His son, Swanand Subhedar, has appealed to authorities to trace his father and ensure his safe return.
From Kalyan West, 60-year-old Sanjay Rajmal Patil and his 56-year-old wife Nalini Sanjay Patil were travelling in a group of 31 pilgrims via Kerung. Hotel staff at Hotel Shanker in Lazimpat, Kathmandu, confirmed the couple departed on the morning of August 25 on an itinerary routed through Timure to the border. Floodwaters hit the Rasuwa-Bhotekoshi area around 8:30 am Nepal time the following day.
Thane resident Rajanish Raghunath Natu was last reached at 8:05 am on August 26 near the Tibet-Nepal border. Yashas Bhand of Vashi, Navi Mumbai, who travelled with Kathmandu-based Richa Tours Pvt Ltd, last established contact at 7:15 am, followed by an unanswered missed call at 8:15 am.
The Thane district administration continues to coordinate with authorities and relatives to trace the pilgrims' whereabouts.
