A Dallas couple is among dozens of Americans unaccounted for after flash floods and mudslides tore through the Nepal-Tibet border Wednesday, killing hundreds and leaving more than 1,400 people missing.
Madhu and Deepak Ahuja, Dallas residents for more than 30 years, were returning from a Mount Kailash pilgrimage for Deepak’s 60th birthday when the flood hit, their daughters told the BBC and CBS Texas. Family members said the couple was at the Gyirong Port immigration center Wednesday morning when a wall of water and mud swept through. Relatives last spoke with them about 90 minutes before the disaster. Their phone last pinged near Gyirong, family accounts reported.
Nepal police have recovered about 389 bodies, The Associated Press and Reuters reported Thursday. China confirmed three deaths in Tibet. Combined missing totals stand near 1,400, including about 910 in Nepal and 558 in Tibet, authorities said. A glacial collapse sent water, ice and debris down river valleys into Rasuwa and Nuwakot districts and the Gyirong crossing.
The U.S. State Department said it was aware of about 90 Americans who may be affected and was not aware of any confirmed U.S. deaths. Three Americans have been rescued, CBS News and Forbes reported. Nepal’s tourism board has cited about 65 Americans among the missing in Nepal. The U.S. Embassy in Kathmandu said it is working with local authorities and pledged $500,000 in emergency aid.
Concerned families in the United States can call 1-888-407-4747. The embassy asked U.S. citizens in Nepal to enroll in STEP and email KathmanduACS@state.gov for urgent help.
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