Get you up to speed: ‘We just wait by the phone’ British family still missing in Nepal week after disaster | News World
The British family of Santosh Sahu, Surabhi Manmath Padhy, and their two children, Spandan and Syna Kumari Sahu, are missing in the aftermath of severe flooding in Nepal. The flooding has resulted in nearly 1,000 confirmed deaths and approximately 5,000 people still unaccounted for, while rescue efforts continue in affected areas.
Nepal’s rescue teams are intensifying their efforts to locate those trapped in hydropower project tunnels, with assistance from Chinese and Indian experts. As of now, approximately 5,000 individuals remain unaccounted for following the flooding, including 33 British tourists.
Nepal’s rescue teams, with assistance from Chinese and Indian experts, have intensified search efforts for missing individuals, including 33 Britons, following last week’s catastrophic flooding that has left nearly 5,000 people unaccounted for. Families of the missing, including those of Santosh Sahu and Surabhi Padhy, are awaiting news as officials continue to assess the devastating impact of the floods, which have resulted in over 900 confirmed fatalities.
What remains unclear — The exact number of British nationals still unaccounted for in the disaster remains uncertain.
British family missing in Nepal a week after devastating floods
Santosh Sahu (left) Surabhi Padhy (right) and their children Spandan Sahu (centre) and Syna Kumari Sahu (top) are among the missing in Nepal (Picture: Facebook)
The Sahus appear to be the perfect family. The father Santosh is a millionaire, his wife Surabhi, a former beauty queen travelling with their kids to celebrate the A-Level results of their oldest son before he goes to university.
Their youngest Syna Kumari Sahu, at just 13, is the youngest Briton still missing in the flooding disaster in Nepal which has killed almost 1,000 people and counting.
Santosh’s brother Murali told WTX all his family, back in London, can do is wait by the phone for any updates and share their photo on social media.
He said: ‘We spoke for the last time over the phone on Tuesday. They were enjoying themselves in Khatmandu.
‘We really miss them. It’s been a week and we still haven’t heard anything from them. The embassy have been helping us but there is no information.’
Getting emotional, he addressed them directly: ‘For God’s sake, please call just once. We are praying for you every day.
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‘Brother, I just want to hear your voice. I need to hear you say name – I love you.’
The family had been on a once-in-a-lifetime trip to Mount Kailash, a religious site for Hindus and Buddhists in Tibet. Their last known photo shows their youngest Syna flashing a peace sign and smiling with the other Brits and South Africans on their tour bus. Their WhatsApps went offline just hours later after crossing the border into Nepal.
The British family Santosh Sahu, fourth left, Surabhi Manmath Padhy, front right, Spandan Sahu, fourth right, and Syna Sahu, third right, with their Alpine Eco tour party before they went missing in the Nepal flood (Picture: Supplied)
Spandan had just finished his A-levels at Royal Grammar School, Guildford, and was preparing to study philosophy, politics and economics at university. The trip is their last quality time together before he moved out of their family home.
Mahadev Semwal, who lives in Reading, described his friend Santosh as ‘someone who came from a very humble background and built his life through determination, hard work and an extraordinary entrepreneurial spirit.’
A rescue operation near the tunnel of the Trishuli 3A Hydropower Project, following deadly flash floods and mudslide (Picture: via REUTERS)
As for his wife Surabhi, he added ‘she is equally remarkable. Together they are a wonderful couple and devoted parents. Their son, now 18, is exceptionally intelligent and full of life, with a bright and energetic personality that brings great joy to the family. Their daughter is always eager to learn, explore new ideas and understand the world around her.
‘Santosh takes great pride in both of them, supports their dreams and always makes time to guide and encourage them, no matter how demanding his work may be.’
Santosh Sahu and his wife Surabhi Manmath Padhy are missing along with the two children (Picture: Supplied)
Nepal’s rescue teams, helped by Chinese and Indian experts, stepped up efforts on Monday to reach hundreds of people believed to be stuck inside blocked hydropower project tunnels in the aftermath of last week’s Himalayan flood.
The unprecedented deluge of ice, rock, mud and debris carved a trail of destruction in the country’s valley towns and villages, as well as across the border in China, on Wednesday, killing more than 900 people, with nearly 5,000 still missing. More than 500 tourists, including 33 Britons, are still said to be missing.
A glacier collapse is thought to have triggered the disaster.
Hundreds of bodies, many unidentified, have been buried in shallow graves as they began decomposing in the humid weather in the plains of the Himalayan country after being swept down the mountains by the torrent.
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