A 33-year-old Isipingo Beach woman is among six South Africans missing following devastating flash floods along the Nepal-Tibet border. 

Terricia Govender was travelling with the Isha Foundation on a pilgrimage in Tibet. 

When the disaster occurred yesterday (August 26), Terricia was at the Gyirong Immigration Office near the border connecting Nepal and China’s Tibet region. 

Her mother, Linda Govender, says her daughter travelled alone and joined the foundation to start her pilgrimage to Mount Kailash on August 12. 

Birthday celebration 

Linda says Terricia kept her updated throughout her trip. 

“She was so excited because she got to spend her birthday, which was on August 20, there,” says Linda.  

 “On her birthday, she met Sadhguru [founder of the Isha Foundation], something she always wanted. She was on a video call with me for over two hours while she and her roommates were shopping. She showed me things in the store, asking me what I wanted and bought gifts for us. She showed me where they were staying.” 

Last contact before disaster 

Linda says she last spoke to Terricia on Tuesday afternoon (August 25). 

“I tried calling at 09:45 yesterday and just thought there was no signal, so I sat the whole day with my phone in hand waiting. Then we received a message about the flood.” 

Linda describes Terricia as vibrant, energetic and beautiful. 

“She just moved to Cape Town, started a new job as a data analyst, and moved into a new apartment. She had everything going for her,” says Linda. 

“I am shocked and devastated. It’s like a dream; I just want to wake up and find it’s not true. I want South Africans to pray and try to see if we can spread the word and her photo, so whoever sees it can give us more information.” 

Search and rescue operations underway 

Hundreds of people are missing and, although the official death toll will not be known for some time, at least 270 people have lost their lives. 

According to a statement on https://www.facebook.com/Nepaltourismboard.trade, six South Africans are among the missing tourists. 

“All efforts are under way to rescue or evacuate the injured or stranded people,” the board says. 

 “A preliminary agency-wise record received from trekking and travel companies has identified 644 travellers, including 127 Nepali nationals, who were reported missing from the affected area.”

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