Family of Indian-Born US Citizen Missing in Nepal Floods Holds Onto Hope
Family of Venus Patel, a US citizen missing after Nepal flash floods, awaits news as officials say about 90 Americans remain unaccounted for.
The family of Venus Rajnikant Patel, a 45-year-old Indian-born US citizen, is clinging to hope after he went missing in the catastrophic flash floods that struck the Nepal-China border region this week. The disaster has killed hundreds and left many more unaccounted for, including a significant number of American pilgrims.
Patel, who recently moved from St. Louis to Cincinnati to help his parents, had been planning his pilgrimage to Mount Kailash for nearly two years. His brother, Dennis Patel, said Venus called him and their parents just hours before the disaster, excitedly showing them his hotel room on the Nepalese side of the border and discussing his plans to cross into Tibet.
"He was pretty excited about it, and then this happened," Dennis Patel said. The family learned of the incident from the tour organizer, Himalayan Glacier. They have since submitted all of Venus's information to the US Embassy in Kathmandu and contacted the State Department, while also circulating his details on social media in hopes of finding him.
US officials have stated that roughly 90 American citizens remain unaccounted for, though no US deaths have been confirmed. Three Americans have been rescued so far. Many of the missing were on a pilgrimage to Mount Kailash, a site sacred to Hindus, Buddhists, and others.
Patel's friend, Jolene Gosha, described him as an avid traveler who loved dancing and organizing surprise "flash mob" performances for friends. "He's always smiling from ear to ear," she said, while acknowledging the grim reality of the situation.
Indian spiritual leader Sadhguru said 77 people returning from Mount Kailash with his Isha Foundation were at an immigration center in Gyirong, Tibet, when the floods hit. The foundation has confirmed that 22 of those individuals were Americans.
Dennis Patel remains hopeful despite the devastation. "We are trying to stay positive because that's the only thing we can do right now," he said. "I just hope he comes back safe and sound."