Kuppam Man out of Contact in Nepal After Flash Floods
Balasubrahmanyam has been missing since August 26 after flash floods disrupted communication in the region, with his family unable to contact him as his mobile phone is not working
Tirupati: A Kuppam resident who travelled to Nepal on a Manasarovar pilgrimage has been out of contact with his family since Tuesday, raising concerns about his safety following flash floods in the region.
V.S. Balasubrahmanyam, who had settled in Hyderabad and works as a software engineer, travelled to Nepal with a group for the pilgrimage, his brother Srikanth said.
Srikanth said Balasubrahmanyam last spoke to the family on Tuesday morning and told them that everything was fine. His phone has remained switched off since then and the family has been unable to contact him, he said.
The family later learnt that the group was at the Gyirong Immigration Centre on Wednesday morning, around the time flash floods were reported in the area. The group was scheduled to return to Hyderabad on August 29.
Worried about his brother’s whereabouts, Srikanth, a lawyer, approached Chief Minister office seeking assistance in tracing him. “We have approached the CM’s office and are in touch with the Indian Embassy and other agencies to get information about his whereabouts,” he said.
Meanwhile, Tirupati MP Dr M. Gurumurthy said pilgrims from Tirupati who travelled to Nepal on a Manasarovar pilgrimage were safe despite facing difficulties due to heavy rains and flash floods.
He said 26 pilgrims had travelled through Tirupati-based Sign In Travels. He had spoken to two pilgrims and the travel agent and contacted officials for information about their situation, he said.
According to Gurumurthy, all the pilgrims were safe in Kathmandu and awaiting official advice on whether to continue their journey or return to India. Efforts were being made in coordination with the Indian Embassy and other authorities to facilitate their safe return, he said.
