Family of Vancouver couple missing in Nepal flood calls for expanded search

The family of a Vancouver couple missing after flash flooding near Nepal’s Himalayan border is calling for increased search efforts as Canadian officials work to account for citizens and permanent residents in the area.

Sumit Rawla and his wife, Shubhakshi Rawla, are Canadian permanent residents with Singaporean passports. They were travelling with others from Canada and were preparing for a mountain hike when the flooding struck Wednesday.

Sumit’s sister, Seema Rawla, said he had video-called the family at about 7 a.m. that day from a small tea stall with his wife. He described pleasant weather and showed them a calm river. Officials say a large ice chunk broke free in the Himalayas shortly after 8 a.m. local time, triggering the flood.

Foreign Affairs Minister Anita Anand said Canadian officials were aware of 32 Canadians and permanent residents whose safety had not been confirmed, as well as 866 Canadians in Nepal. Global Affairs Canada has sent five consular officials to Kathmandu and can deploy more if needed. Its 24-hour Emergency Watch and Response Centre in Ottawa is taking calls.

Nepal’s tourism board said no Canadians were among 121 foreign nationals rescued Friday. The country’s disaster management authority listed 1,924 people as missing. Ottawa has pledged $5 million in urgent humanitarian assistance for organizations including the Red Cross. Rawla and other affected families say they welcome the aid but want search efforts stepped up.