Family members of Poonam Thakkar, a woman from Bartlett missing in Nepal due to last week’s flood, are actively in Kathmandu. They hope to find her and bring her home safely. Poonam, 42, began a pilgrimage on August 20 to Mount Kailash near Nepal’s border with Tibet. She followed her oldest sister’s path, Bhumika, who had undertaken the journey a year before.
Bhumika and two cousins have retraced Poonam’s journey since she went missing during the flood on August 26, as stated by the middle sister, Gunjan. “They plan to visit the impacted area because we believe she’s still there,” Gunjan mentioned. The family remains hopeful, given that survivors have been found amid the devastation caused by the collapse of a Himalayan glacier. The death toll exceeded 1,100, with nearly 4,000 still missing.
Poonam left Chicago on August 20 for a tour to the Tibet border with a scheduled start on August 23. Her family last spoke to her a day before the flood. “It was a casual call,” Gunjan added, “she shared how excited she was about the pilgrimage and enjoyed each moment.” Poonam is a dual citizen of the U.S. and Canada, living in Bartlett for over seven years. Her extended family resides in Chicago.
Poonam works as a senior manager at a major consulting firm. Her colleagues have extended their support to the family, Gunjan mentioned. Bhumika wanted to reach Nepal immediately after the flood, but travel was restricted. Eventually, flights were accessible, and the family arrived in Kathmandu.
Currently, their travel is limited to Kathmandu. They have reached out to authorities, including those from the U.S. and Canadian embassies, receiving standard but compassionate responses. They’ve also connected with others looking for loved ones, forming groups to coordinate daily activities and share insights.
The region they aim to reach is affected by continuous rain and mudslides, complicating their efforts. However, Kathmandu offers a relatively safe base for operations. While the search for Poonam and information continues, Gunjan urges readers to keep positive thoughts and wishes for her sister’s return.