An Odia couple from Khordha district has gone missing in Nepal following the devastating flash floods in the Bhote Koshi River.
According to the Odisha Government, Sandeep Mohapatra and Siddharthi Kumari Sahu, who have been living in Australia since 2018, travelled to Nepal on August 22 for a 12‑day trip that included the Kailash Mansarovar Yatra. Their mobile phones have remained switched off since the disaster, raising serious concerns about their safety.
Family sources said their last contact was on August 25 evening, when the couple informed relatives that they were travelling by bus near the Tibet border and experiencing network issues. Their final GPS location was traced near an immigration centre.
The couple’s details were collected from Sandeep’s sister and shared with the Ministry of External Affairs for further action. Authorities confirmed that they have not yet been traced.
The Odisha Government has opened a 24‑hour control room at Odisha Bhavan, New Delhi, to provide assistance to Odias in distress.
The office of the Chief Resident Commissioner announced that any individual requiring help can contact the control room through the following numbers:
- +91 7428135044
- +91 8527580245
- +91 11 23012807 (landline)
Additionally, the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) has issued emergency helplines for Indian nationals in Nepal:
- +977 9851316807
- +977 9709107500
These numbers are also available on WhatsApp for quick communication.
Officials said the control room will coordinate with the MEA and Nepalese authorities to ensure timely support, including evacuation, relief, and information sharing for Odias stranded in flood‑hit regions.
