The Search for Missing Parents Amid Nepal Floods

Shreya Ahuja, a physician from North Carolina, is grappling with the search for her parents, who are missing amid devastating floods in Nepal. Her parents, Deepak and Madhu Ahuja, were on a pilgrimage for her father’s 60th birthday.

The family last heard from Deepak and Madhu shortly after they completed a trek to Mount Kailash and were heading to the Gyirong border crossing. Hours later, flooding began, sparking concern after an attempt to reach them via text and call failed.

I tried texting them. I tried calling them. And initially, I wasn’t too concerned. Ahuja expressed her concern after the floods struck, highlighting the difficulty of accepting the grim reality of their situation.

Police in Nepal have reported over 500 deaths on the Nepal side of the border, with more than 1,500 still missing. Shreya is now in Washington, D.C., with her family, desperately seeking ways to reach her parents.

The family discovered through CCTV footage that the floods demolished the building where her parents were supposed to be. The relentless stretches without news have been taxing. “It’s essentially been one long day. Haven’t really slept,” Shreya shared.

Shreya has urged communication with local legislators to facilitate assistance in the search. She emphasized the need for cooperation among the four countries involved: India, Nepal, China, and the United States. She also advocated for Starlink’s deployment in Nepal, which could significantly improve communication with those on the ground. According to Shreya, SpaceX has faced hurdles in gaining the necessary approvals.

Shreya’s story underscores the urgent need for international collaboration and tangible solutions to improve rescue operations and communications in disaster zones.

This account was produced and edited by Lilly Quiroz and Adam Bearne. The digital version was edited by Treye Green.