Nepali Community in Bengaluru Anxiously Tracks Flood Rescue Efforts in Homeland

Members of the Nepali community in Bengaluru, including business owners in localities such as Kalyan Nagar, are anxiously tracking developments and aiding relief communication following catastrophic flash floods in Nepal.

The disaster, which saw raging waters tear through roads and infrastructure across the Himalayan region, has left diaspora members in the city deeply worried about family, friends, and fellow citizens back home. Many are constantly following updates through mobile feeds, official channels, and phone calls.

Harish Kumar Sejekan, a Bengaluru-based art curator, gallerist, and artist, has been actively assisting efforts to locate missing persons. Among the cases he has been tracking is that of MLC Public Services CEO Lax Gopisetty, who went missing alongside a team of 10 individuals. Sejekan noted that he has been in regular contact with rescue teams and authorities to provide information that might aid search operations, though adverse weather conditions have severely hindered on-ground rescue work.

In Kalyan Nagar, Ujjwal Sapkota, an optometrist and owner of Nepalaya, shared that local customers and neighbours have been regularly checking in on his family's safety. Although his relatives in eastern Nepal are safe, Sapkota said the uncertainty and widespread loss across the country remain distressing for everyone in the diaspora.

Nepali students pursuing higher education in the city are also grappling with anxiety while staying far from home. Siddika Sapkota, a student at Harsha College of Pharmacy, stated that distance has heightened feelings of helplessness among youth. She noted that students have been relying on official social media updates from sources such as the Nepal Police, Routine of Nepal Banda, and Nepal in 24 hrs to monitor the situation.

Another Bengaluru BA student, Jupitora G, highlighted the severe impact on students in flood-hit areas who have lost academic certificates, mark sheets, and books representing years of hard work. She added that while the situation has made focusing on studies difficult, even brief messages from home confirming safety have provided vital relief to community members living in the city.