SINGAPORE — The daughters of a Singaporean couple missing after the devastating Nepal-Tibet floods have made an emotional appeal for help, urging authorities and technology companies to do everything possible to locate their parents.
Sumit Rawla, 53, and his wife, Shubakshi Rawla, 49, were in Nepal for a Kailash pilgrimage when a catastrophic flash flood struck the Rasuwa district near the Nepal-China border on Aug. 26.
The couple has remained uncontactable since the disaster.
Their daughters, Parnika Rawla, 20, and Kenisha Rawla, 15, said their family has been desperately waiting for information about their parents.
“We really miss them. We really want to meet our parents soon,” the sisters said in a video appeal.
The family has also appealed for technology companies to assist authorities in locating the couple, noting that their parents were wearing Hume smartwatches when the disaster struck.
The sisters said location information from wearable devices could potentially help rescuers identify areas where missing travellers may be located.
Couple was on Kailash pilgrimage
According to family members cited by CNA, the Rawlas travelled to Kathmandu on Aug. 23 for their Kailash Yatra pilgrimage.
They were staying at Hotel Kailash in Timure, near the Rasuwagadhi border area, and were last seen at a tea stall in the area before the flooding struck.
The couple was travelling with Himalayan Glacier, according to their family.
Shubakshi’s sister, Dipti Bhatnagar, said she had spoken with the couple shortly before they disappeared. The family had understood that the couple was preparing to continue their journey towards Tibet.
Their hotel was subsequently reported to have been destroyed by the flood, according to the Himalayan Glacier founder, adding to the family’s fears about their whereabouts.
Nine Singaporeans remain on Nepal’s missing list
The Rawlas are among nine Singaporeans listed as missing following the disaster.
Nepali authorities released a list of tourists reported missing in the affected area, with the nine Singaporeans among those who remain uncontactable. The other Singaporeans include Estee Loeh, Ghosh Aditi, Ng Kit Kuen, Rajesvaran Ayyavoo, Rengarajan Prabu, Shalinny Deavy Elan Sozan and Subramaniam Diraviam.
The Singapore Ministry of Foreign Affairs has said it is in contact with affected families. Singapore’s High Commission in New Delhi has also deployed a crisis response team to Nepal to provide consular assistance.
Disaster has devastated Nepal-Tibet border region
The floods struck on Aug. 26 after a massive collapse of rock, ice and debris triggered a powerful surge through the Himalayan valleys.
The disaster affected areas along the Nepal-China border and caused widespread destruction to roads, bridges, buildings and other infrastructure.
The scale of the disaster has continued to rise as rescue teams reach previously inaccessible areas.
Reuters reported that hundreds of people remained missing as rescue operations were complicated by additional flood risks, while AP reported that the combined death toll in Nepal and Tibet had climbed above 570, with thousands still unaccounted for.
The figures have changed rapidly as authorities continue identifying victims and missing people, so early casualty and missing-person totals should be treated as provisional.
Rescue efforts face dangerous conditions
Search and rescue operations have been complicated by destroyed infrastructure and continuing risks in the mountainous region.
Nepali authorities had warned of another potential flood after a blockage upstream created a dangerous situation along a border river. Singapore’s MFA similarly urged Singaporeans in affected areas to remain vigilant and avoid rivers, riverbanks and low-lying areas.
Despite the difficult conditions, rescue operations have continued.
The tragedy has also affected large numbers of foreign pilgrims and tourists travelling through the region, including people on journeys connected to the Mount Kailash pilgrimage route.
Singapore steps up humanitarian assistance
Singapore has also announced humanitarian support for communities affected by the disaster.
On Aug. 28, the Singapore Government said it would contribute US$100,000 as seed money for the Singapore Red Cross’ public fundraising efforts to support humanitarian relief in Nepal.
The Singapore Red Cross had earlier pledged S$50,000 in humanitarian assistance and activated its Restoring Family Links service to help people reconnect with loved ones who lost contact during the disaster.
For the Rawla family, however, the immediate priority remains finding their parents.
As rescue teams continue searching the devastated region, their daughters are holding on to hope—and asking anyone who may have information about Sumit and Shubakshi Rawla to come forward.
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