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Sharmistha Bhowmik Roy, daughter-in-law of former Railway Minister Mukul Roy, is missing after the devastating floods on the Nepal-Tibet border. She went to Nepal on 21 August. According to the Indian Ministry of External Affairs, 288 Indian citizens are unable to be contacted in Nepal.

North 24 Parganas: A large number of people are missing due to the devastating floods and debris in the border areas of Nepal and Tibet. Meanwhile, a family from West Bengal is also worried. Information about the disappearance of Sharmistha Bhowmik Roy, daughter-in-law of late former Railway Minister Mukul Roy, in Nepal has come to light. According to the family, Sharmistha had gone to Nepal with a travel agency on August 21 and has not been contacted since the disaster on August 26.

Sharmistha’s husband Shuvrangshu Roy said that his wife is currently included in the list of missing people. He said that the family is trying to get information by contacting the administration and agencies. Meanwhile, a large-scale relief and search operation is being conducted in Nepal. According to the Ministry of External Affairs of India, 288 Indian citizens in Nepal are currently unable to be contacted.

Sharmistha had gone to Nepal on 21st August

Sharmistha Bhowmik Roy had left for Nepal on 21st August. According to the family, she had gone with a travel agency. On Wednesday, contact was lost after flash floods, debris and strong flow of rocks in the Himalayan region bordering Nepal and China.

Her husband Shuvrangshu Roy told that till now he has not been able to talk to his wife through any medium. He has maintained contact with the administration and is hopeful that information about his condition will be available during the search operation.

The family also told that Shuvrangshu and his children are in India. At present his priority is to locate Sharmistha.

No contact with a large number of Indians in Nepal

After the disaster in Nepal, concern about Indian citizens has also increased. India’s Ministry of External Affairs said on August 27 that 288 Indian citizens in Nepal were unable to be contacted. Apart from this, about 200 Indian citizens are said to be stranded in the border area towards China. Coordination is underway between Indian and Nepali authorities for their safe evacuation and to locate the missing people.

This figure may change as communication and transport infrastructure in remote areas has been severely affected. Relief teams are also finding it difficult to reach the spot due to damage to many roads, bridges and border routes.

Devastating flood on Nepal-Tibet border

On 26 August, heavy debris and strong flow of water occurred in the border area of ​​Nepal and Tibet. Initial reports linked the event to an earthquake, but later analysis by the US Geological Survey (USGS) clarified that the recorded 5.2 magnitude seismic activity was not actually caused by a normal earthquake.

According to USGS analysis, the massive glacier break and subsequent flow of ice, rocks and debris created a catastrophic situation. This flow affected rivers and settlements downstream. According to international reports, a large number of people died in this disaster on both sides of Nepal and Tibet and hundreds of people are missing.

Seismic reading of 5.2 magnitude, but no earthquake

The most important scientific information to this disaster has come from USGS. The agency said that on August 26, a seismic signal of 5.2 magnitude was recorded in the border area. It was initially thought to be an earthquake, but later, after analyzing nearby seismic stations, long-period seismic waves, and satellite images, it was concluded that it was seismic activity caused by glacier rupture and debris flow, and not an isolated earthquake.

This difference has played an important role in understanding the true nature of the accident. Experts are now linking it to glacier breakage, massive sliding of ice-rocks and sudden floods.

Accusations on China of giving information late, but no confirmation

Some reports and claims in the initial hours of the disaster alleged that China did not provide timely adequate information to Nepal about the devastation in the border area. However, these allegations have not been independently confirmed.

Later reports revealed that initial information about the cause of the disaster was unclear. Nepalese officials initially feared an earthquake or landslide, while scientific analysis later pointed to a glacier break and debris flow. Therefore, it is important to wait for the findings of an official and independent investigation before accusing any country of deliberately hiding information.

Relief campaign continues in China and Nepal

Agencies of Nepal and China are carrying out relief and search operations in the flood affected areas. According to Indian officials, coordination is also being done to reach out to affected Indian citizens and gather information about missing people. Ground rescue operations are challenging due to damaged roads and bridges in the area.

Relief teams have to use helicopters and other means at many places. Many families are contacting helplines and government agencies for information about their missing relatives.

Tourists and pilgrims also included among the missing

The disaster has not only affected the local population. A large number of tourists, trekkers and pilgrims associated with Kailash Mansarovar Yatra were also present in the border area at that time. According to international reports, information about missing citizens of more than 30 countries has come to light.

Many foreign nationals were trapped in inaccessible mountainous areas and the sudden onset of debris and strong flow of water made it difficult for them to escape. For this reason, different official figures are coming out regarding the number of missing people.

Figures of deaths and missing people are changing in Nepal

The number of dead and missing is being updated continuously as rescue operations are still ongoing. Reports on 27 August revealed 270 confirmed deaths and hundreds missing in Nepal. The number of missing people, covering the entire Nepal-Tibet region, is said to be more than 1,300, although figures from different agencies differ.

In such a disaster, it is normal for the initial figures to change due to communication breakdown, people being stranded at different places and cross-border movement being disrupted. The administration is trying to bring out the exact numbers by matching the records of different agencies.

Sharmistha’s family hopeful, eye on search

Sharmistha Bhowmik Roy’s family has not yet received any official information about her. Her husband Shuvrangshu Roy is in touch with the administration and is hoping that relief agencies will get some information soon.

The most difficult situation for the family is that a large number of Indians have also been reported missing in Nepal and the affected area is quite inaccessible. Many people have lost contact with their families due to communication disruptions.

Meanwhile, Indian and Nepalese officials are busy locating the missing Indian citizens and providing assistance to the affected people.

The cause of the disaster became clear through scientific investigation

Earlier many doubts were raised regarding the cause of the disaster. But USGS analysis made it clear that the magnitude 5.2 signal was not an earthquake, but seismic activity caused by glacier rupture and debris flows. After this incident, suddenly heavy debris along with water and rocks came downwards, causing huge damage to settlements, roads and bridges.

It also shows how serious the risk of natural disasters to glaciers and landslides can be in the Himalayan region. Along with relief work, now the focus is also expected to increase on the safety of the affected areas and future warning systems.

Search for missing citizens becomes the biggest challenge

At present, the biggest goal of the rescue operation in Nepal is to locate those people with whom contact has been lost after the accident. Apart from Indian citizens, tourists and pilgrims from many countries have also been affected.

The case of Sharmistha Bhowmik Roy is part of this larger humanitarian crisis. His family is now waiting for any information from relief agencies. As long as the search operation continues, both the family and the administration are hopeful of his safe recovery.