Flash floods in Nepal leave at least 105 Indian tourists among 384 missing travellers

At least 105 Indian tourists are among 384 travellers reported missing after flash floods swept through Nepal’s Rasuwa district, which borders Tibet

Waves of distressing visuals and reports from flood-hit Nepal have spooked travellers, upended puja and winter holiday plans, sparked cancellations and left tour operators counting losses. Nepal is popular among Indian travellers for its affordability, proximity, cultural links and appeal as the first international destination. Kolkata businessman Naresh Parnani was to fly to Kathmandu next week for a six-day vacation with his elderly mother and children. The family has instead decided to travel to Dubai.

A Darjeeling couple had planned a 15-day trip to Mansarovar via Kerung in Sept. The Rs 4.4-lakh tour package included permits for entering Tibet. They cancelled the trip after watching videos of Kerung being swept away. Kolkata travel agents Anil Punjabi and Anjani Dhanuka had furrowed brows over rising cancellations even as many sought updates on the safety of other Nepal destinations like Kathmandu, Pokhara, Patan and Lumbini. Ripples of anxiety also coursed through Jharkhand. Travel agencies reported 60-70% cancellations for late Sept and Oct. “Families do not want to risk safety,” Ranchi tour operator Amit Roy said. In Bihar, the number of tourists travelling to Kathmandu and Pokhara via Janakpur dropped to zero in the past two days. “Roads are impassable, forcing us to cancel bookings,” Sanjeev Kumar, of Bharat-Nepal Maitri Sewa bus, said.