Family Members Seek Bartlett Woman Missing After Nepal Flood

Family members of Poonam Thakkar from Bartlett have traveled to Nepal’s capital, Kathmandu, hoping to find her after she disappeared during a massive flood. Poonam, aged 42, embarked on a pilgrimage to Mount Kailash near the Nepal-Tibet border on August 20. She was following in her oldest sister Bhumika’s footsteps, who completed the journey a year prior.

Bhumika, along with two cousins, began retracing Poonam’s path after she vanished during the flood on August 26, according to the middle sister, Gunjan. Gunjan expressed hope, stating, “They intend to visit that impacted area because we believe she’s still there.” Her optimism persists, as survivors have been found in the days following the flood despite the official death toll reaching over 1,100 as of Wednesday and nearly 4,000 people reported missing. The floods were triggered by a glacier collapse in the Himalayas.

Photographs of missing persons and other heartbreaking scenes fill the halls of Tribhuvan University Teaching Hospital in Kathmandu, where families of the missing gather. A relative seen speaking on his phone and viewing such images is just one of many hoping for news on their loved ones.

Poonam embarked on her journey from Chicago on August 20, joining an organized tour set to start on August 23 near the Tibet border. Her family last spoke with her the day before the flood, sharing her excitement for the pilgrimage. Gunjan recalled, “It was all casual, and she was just sharing how excited she was to be starting the pilgrimage.”

Poonam holds dual citizenship in the U.S. and Canada, having lived and worked in Canada before moving to Bartlett 7½ years ago to join her immediate family. She works as a senior manager for a major consulting firm, and her colleagues have reached out to offer support, Gunjan shared.

Bhumika wished to depart for Nepal soon after the flood, but travel was discouraged by authorities until conditions improved. The family managed to secure a flight relatively easily and now awaits further access past Kathmandu, staying in contact with U.S. and Canadian embassy representatives who provide compassionate but routine responses.

Meeting with others also searching for missing loved ones, they form groups that convene daily to share tasks and pool findings. Despite persistent rain, mudslides, and power outages in regions they aim to reach, Kathmandu provides a safe operational base.

Gunjan continues to seek information about Poonam while urging readers to maintain positive thoughts and wishes for her sister’s safe return.