Bloomfield, N.J. – A local family is among the growing list of people unaccounted for after severe flooding and mudslides struck the remote region near the Nepal‑Tibet border this week. Bimalbhai Patel and his wife, Jaiminaben Patel, both longtime residents of Bloomfield, were traveling abroad for a religious retreat when the disaster hit.
According to statements from the Patel family, the couple was in the high‑altitude area when torrential rains caused flash floods that swept away homes, roads and bridges. The sudden surge of water and subsequent mudslides devastated villages, leaving dozens missing and many more injured.
The Patels’ nine‑year‑old son, who was not on the trip, remains safe with relatives in India. Family members confirmed that the child has been staying with close family members there since the couple’s departure.
Bloomfield Mayor Jenny Mundell expressed the city’s concern and pledged support for the Patel family. “Our community stands ready to help the Patels and any other families affected by this tragedy,” Mundell said in a press release. The mayor’s office is coordinating with local faith groups and charitable organizations to provide assistance, including financial aid, prayer support, and logistical help for any travel that may be required.
Neighbors in Bloomfield described the Patels as active members of the community, often attending local cultural events and volunteering at the town’s interfaith center. “We were shocked to hear they’re missing,” said longtime resident Maria Torres. “They always welcomed everyone with a smile, and now we’re praying for their safe return.”
The family issued a public appeal for help locating the couple. In the statement, they wrote, “My sister and brother‑in‑law are missing near the Nepal border, in an area affected by flooding. We urgently request the authorities to help locate and rescue them as soon as possible.”
Rescue operations are ongoing. Nepalese authorities, aided by international humanitarian groups, have deployed search‑and‑rescue teams, helicopters, and ground crews to scour the affected valleys. Officials say the terrain is extremely challenging, with landslides blocking many access routes.
Other New Jersey and New York residents are also reported missing. Ramesh Sharma and Neelam Sharma, a New York couple on the same pilgrimage, have not been heard from since Wednesday morning when they were near Tibet. Their families are similarly seeking assistance from both local officials and the U.S. State Department.
How the Community Can Help
Local churches, mosques and community centers are organizing prayer vigils and donation drives for the families of the missing. Residents are encouraged to contribute to reputable relief funds set up by the Nepal Red Cross and to stay informed through official updates from the U.S. Embassy in Kathmandu.
The Patel family’s situation underscores the risks that can accompany international travel, especially to remote regions prone to natural disasters. While the couple’s faith guided their journey, the community now rallies to support them in their time of need.
Original reporting: Brookhaven News – ABC7 New York — read the source article.
