NRI couple Dhaval Shah and Megha Shah missing in Nepal flood
Quick Look
- Dhaval Shah, 52, and Megha Shah, 50, a British Columbia-based NRI couple, are among 30 Canadians and permanent residents listed as missing by Global Affairs Canada after a devastating flood in Nepal's Timure region.
- The couple was last seen at Hotel Kailash while on a pilgrimage organized by Himalayan Glacier Adventures.
- Their families have circulated missing posters in British Columbia seeking information.
AI-generated summary
Why It Matters
The Shah couple was part of a group of 47 people, including 10 Canadians, on a pilgrimage around Mount Kailash in Tibet organized by Himalayan Glacier Adventures. The trip began on August 24 and they were in Nepal's Timure region when a devastating flood struck, damaging infrastructure and cutting off communication.
NRI couple Dhaval Shah, Megha Shah went missing in Nepal.
Family members of Dhaval Shah and Megha Shah circulated a missing poster in and around British Columbia, hoping to get some information about the duo who went on a tour in the Timure region which is believed to be completely wiped out in the devastating flood. Dhaval's cousin Nikita Shah told Global News that Dhaval and Megha were last known to be at Hotel Kailash. Megha Shah, 50, and her husband, Dhaval Shah, 52, are among 30 Canadians and permanent residents listed as missing by Global Affairs Canada after the disaster. Shubhakshi (Shubhi) Rawla and Sumit Rawla, both 50, have also not been heard from since the flood, with their last reported sighting at a tea stall in Timure, where they were staying at the Hotel Kailash. The Shahs and the Rawlas were traveling with a group of 47 people, including 10 Canadians on a pilgrimage around the base of Mount Kailash in Tibet organized by Himalayan Glacier Adventures. Dhaval's brother Keval Shah, who is in Mumbai, told Vancouver Sun that the Shahs left for the two-week trek on August 24 and he last spoke with him Sunday. "He was going to come and meet me after in Mumbai on Sept. 7," Keval said. The Shah couple have a daughter who stayed home during the trip. Dhaval has lived in Canada for about two decades and works as a cargo ship captain. Nikita said she hoped that since Dhaval works in the Navy, he was able to use some of his training to save himself and his wife. “So the Hotel Kailash, from what we understand, is like about 1.5 km from the checkpoint, so they were somewhere in that location and, you know, the (tour) company lost contact with anybody at around 8:30 that morning, so we don’t know where they have been since then," Nikita said.
British Columbia couple Dhaval Shah, Megha Shah missing in Nepal.
“Of course, there’s images that we see, but then there’s also all this information that we get that they could be at a higher elevation, they could be there, they could have run.”
Statement from tour operator
Himalayan Glacier Adventures said in a social media statement Wednesday that communication with the group was “extremely difficult” after the floods damaged mobile and electrical infrastructure. “We completely understand how worrying and distressing this uncertainty must be for you and your family, especially with concern surrounding the Kailash Yatra pilgrims who were travelling through the affected region,” the company said in the statement.
End of Article
What to Watch
AI outlook — possibilities, not facts
Rescue and search operations will continue in the Timure region to locate the missing tourists
Very likely · Within days
Himalayan Glacier Adventures will face increased scrutiny regarding safety protocols for high-altitude treks
Likely · Within weeks
Open Questions
- What is the current status and location of Dhaval and Megha Shah?
- Have any survivors from the tour group been located or contacted?
- What specific actions are being taken by rescue teams in the Timure region?
- Is there any evidence suggesting the couple may have reached higher ground during the flood?
