Dr Milind Chitale, a Mumbai-based doctor and experienced mountaineer, is among those reported missing after devastating floods struck the Nepal-Tibet border during the Kailash Mansarovar pilgrimage.
Dr Chitale, who has been involved in Himalayan mountaineering and expeditions for nearly three decades, was leading a group of pilgrims on the journey. He is reportedly missing along with his wife and several members of the group.
According to reports, contact with the pilgrimage group was lost amid the severe flooding and destruction in the region. The group was travelling towards the Kailash Mansarovar pilgrimage route when the disaster struck.
Dr Chitale, who practises in Mumbai's Andheri East, had reportedly planned to remain away from his clinic from August 24 to September 6 for the pilgrimage. A notice outside his clinic informed patients that it would remain closed during this period.
The floods have caused widespread destruction along the Nepal-China border, damaging roads, bridges and other infrastructure and leaving hundreds of people unaccounted for. A large number of Indian nationals and foreign pilgrims are among those reported missing.
Rescue and relief operations are underway, with authorities in India, Nepal and China working to locate stranded and missing people. Families of the pilgrims are anxiously awaiting information about their loved ones as search operations continue.
The disaster has raised particular concern because several groups travelling to the sacred Mount Kailash and Lake Mansarovar were in the affected region when the flash floods struck.