ROSLYN HEIGHTS, N.Y. — A family from Long Island is praying for the safe return of Amita Amin, a 67‑year‑old resident who disappeared amid the devastating floods that have ravaged villages along the Nepal‑Tibet border.
Amita was traveling with a small tour group on her seventh pilgrimage to Mount Kailash, a sacred peak revered by Hindus, Buddhists and Jains. The group was attempting to cross from Nepal into Tibet when floodwaters surged on Wednesday, destroying roads, bridges and power lines across the region.
According to her husband, Mahendra Amin, and their son, Dr. Dhruv Amin, the last confirmed sighting of Amita was at a building that was later swept away by the torrent. The family also traveled with Dhruv’s mother‑in‑law, Tejal Vyomesh Patel, and a family friend, Jitendra Manubhai Patel. All four members have lost contact with one another.
Family’s plea for help
“The biggest hurdle I have is that there is no contact with her,” Mahendra said, his voice trembling as he described the uncertainty that has gripped the family. “If you’re watching me, I miss you. Come back. Everybody is waiting for you.”
The Amins have joined the massive international search and rescue effort coordinated by Nepalese authorities, Chinese officials in Tibet, and a host of humanitarian NGOs. Hundreds of rescue workers, helicopters and ground teams are combing the flood‑stricken valleys, but the terrain remains treacherous and many villages are still isolated.
Scale of the disaster
Officials report that the flooding has claimed hundreds of lives and left more than 2,000 people missing. So far, 543 bodies have been recovered, and the death toll is expected to rise as rescue crews continue their work.
Local and diaspora communities across the United States have rallied to support families like the Amins. A prayer vigil is being organized at the Roslyn Union Free School District’s auditorium, and a GoFundMe page has been set up to assist with travel and communication expenses for relatives who hope to reach the disaster zone.
Faith and perseverance
Amita’s pilgrimage reflects a deep commitment to faith that many families in the Long Island area share. Her son noted that she has made the journey to Mount Kailash several times before, each time returning home safely. “We believed the most difficult part of the journey was behind her when we last spoke,” Dhruv said, emphasizing the family’s hope that she is still alive.
As the search continues, the Amin family urges anyone with information about the missing group to contact the Nepalese disaster response hotline or the local authorities in Tibet. They remain grateful for the outpouring of prayers, messages and support from friends, neighbors and fellow worshippers.
For updates on the rescue effort and ways to help, readers can follow the official Nepalese government channels and reputable humanitarian organizations working on the ground.
Original reporting: Brookhaven News – ABC7 New York — read the source article.
