Official search for Nepal flood survivors called off
The announcement was made on Day 40 since the August 27 flash floods, which left 1455 people dead and 5285 missing.
DESPITE the Nepal government announcing the suspension of the search-and-rescue phase following the devastating flash floods that caused thousands of pilgrims to go missing, Linda Govender of Isipingo Beach said she will continue looking for her daughter.
Also read: Next phase of Terricia’s search to begin
The suspension announcement was made at the meeting of Nepal’s National Council for Disaster Risk Reduction and Management on October 5. The suspension, however, does not apply to essential search operations.
The announcement was made on Day 40 since the August 27 flash floods, which left 1455 people dead and 5285 missing. Among the missing is Govender’s daughter, Terricia Govender, who was on a pilgrimage that started in Nepal and crossed the border into Tibet. She was one of six South Africans who were part of an 88-member group that was trying to cross from the Chinese-controlled Tibet when the sudden flood destroyed the immigration office.
Linda said Nepal may have concluded its search, but she has not, as she cannot simply stop.
Also read: Isipingo Beach resident still missing after Nepal floods
“I am asking the question that keeps going through my mind, ‘What do I do?’ and ‘What have I not done?’. We went to Nepal. My brother, Sashin, and I searched hospitals, followed leads, spoke to people, travelled along the rivers by 4×4 and even by helicopter. We went as far as the conditions allowed. Our enquiries led us to believe that Terricia and the group were still in Tibet when the incident occurred,” said Linda.
Because of red tape, Linda, her brother, Selva Govender, and Terricia’s friend, Sashin Maharaj, could not take their search into Tibet. They returned to South Africa on September 20 and are finalising applications to take their search into Tibet.
The last two people to be rescued alive were two men pulled from a flooded hydropower tunnel on September 5, nine days after the flash flood. Linda and other relatives of the missing have provided DNA samples to help with the search.
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