Kuppam Man Missing 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.

His brother Srikanth said Balasubrahmanyam had travelled to Nepal with a group associated with the Isha Foundation

"My brother Balasubrahmanyam has been missing in Nepal since August 26 following flash floods that disrupted communication, and we have been unable to contact him as his mobile phone is not working," Srikanth told PTI.

Balasubrahmanyam left for Nepal from Kathmandu on August 14, said his brother, adding that he last contacted them on Tuesday morning and said everything was fine and that the group was scheduled to land in Hyderabad on August 29.

The family later learnt that the group was at the Gyirong Immigration Centre on Wednesday morning and that a flash flood had occurred in the area.

They have informed Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu's Office and are in touch with the Indian Embassy and government authorities regarding Balasubrahmanyam's whereabouts.

Srikanth said that the government is making efforts to trace and assist people stranded in the affected areas and has provided helpline numbers, through which the family is also trying to obtain information about his brother.

The family was awaiting further information on his whereabouts and updates on the rescue efforts.

Meanwhile, ground conditions remained critical across the Nepal-China border region, with extensive flooding, disrupted communications and continuing rescue operations, according to a situation report from AP Bhavan in New Delhi.

Nepal Army, Police and Armed Police Force personnel were conducting large-scale rescue operations with around 15 helicopters. India has offered humanitarian assistance and dispatched 10 tonnes of relief material to Nepal by an IAF C-130J aircraft, it said.

AP Bhavan continues to coordinate with Indian missions, Nepalese and Chinese authorities and pilgrimage organisations for tracing, rescue and safe evacuation of affected Andhra Pradesh pilgrims.