4 South Africans missing as Nepal floods leave hundreds unaccounted for

by Zintle Mdaka

Four South Africans are among hundreds of people reported missing after devastating flash floods struck Nepal near the border with Tibet, with rescue teams racing to locate those still unaccounted for.

Also see: National disaster declared as floods ravage multiple provinces

The floods swept through Nepal’s mountainous Rasuwa district on Wednesday, destroying roads, bridges and buildings, and leaving communities cut off from surrounding areas.

The Nepal Tourism Board initially identified 384 travellers as missing, including 291 foreign nationals and 93 Nepali citizens. Four of those reported missing are South African nationals, Nepal News reports.

However, the scale of the disaster has continued to emerge, with reports indicating that more than 1,000 people could be missing across the affected Nepal-Tibet border region.

Gift of the Givers prepares to assist

South African humanitarian organisation Gift of the Givers has placed a search-and-rescue team on standby following contact from the family of a South African couple who are missing in Nepal.

The organisation was contacted by the couple’s daughter, prompting it to make preparations for a possible deployment. Gift of the Givers has said its team includes urban search-and-rescue specialists and SAPS K9 handlers.

The organisation is awaiting the necessary request and coordination with authorities before deploying its teams.

Families wait for news

The identities of all four South Africans reported missing have not been publicly confirmed by South African authorities.

IOL reported that one of the missing South Africans has been identified in media reports as Durban woman Terricia Govender, who was travelling as a pilgrim.

South African authorities are continuing efforts to establish the whereabouts of citizens caught up in the disaster.

Nepal floods leave many foreign tourists missing

Reuters reported that at least 570 tourists had been reported missing, including 476 foreigners from 29 countries. India had the highest number of missing tourists, followed by the United States, Ukraine, Malaysia, Australia and the United Kingdom.

The figures remain fluid as authorities work to verify missing-person reports and account for travellers who may have reached safety but have not yet contacted their families.

Also see: Pray for Mthatha: Lives lost in recent floods

What caused the devastating Nepal floods?

The flooding was initially accompanied by reports of seismic activity, prompting speculation that an earthquake had triggered the disaster.

However, subsequent scientific assessments indicated that a glacial collapse and debris flow triggered the catastrophic flooding. The sudden surge of water and debris swept through valleys along the Nepal-Tibet border.

The disaster has killed at least 160 people, according to the latest reports, while hundreds remain missing.

Rescue operation continues

Nepalese authorities have deployed emergency personnel, helicopters and rescue teams to search for survivors. The difficult mountainous terrain, damaged roads and continuing risks around rivers are complicating rescue efforts.

For families in South Africa, the immediate priority is finding out whether their loved ones are safe.

Gift of the Givers remains on standby to assist if formally requested, while authorities continue working to establish the full extent of the disaster and account for those still missing.

This is a developing story and the number of missing people and confirmed casualties may change as rescue operations continue.

Also see: Durban residents left to deal with floods aftermath, blame placed on poor drainage

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