Durban Woman Missing After Nepal-Tibet Border Flash Floods

The family of 33-year-old Terricia Govender from Isipingo Beach is desperately waiting for news after she went missing during devastating flash floods near the Nepal-Tibet border. Govender was travelling with a pilgrimage group when the disaster struck on Wednesday, leaving her family thousands of kilometres away with few answers.

Terricia was among a group at the border when floodwaters reportedly washed away an immigration office. Her mother, Linda Govender, said the family was later informed by the Isha Foundation that her daughter was among those reported missing.

Terricia had left South Africa on August 12 for a pilgrimage she had eagerly anticipated for months. Although travelling alone, she was part of a larger tour group linked to the Isha Foundation that was returning from the Mount Kailash Yatra.

Nepal-Tibet Floods Leave Terricia Govender’s Family Desperate For Answers

Linda said her daughter had been thrilled to join the Sadhguru group and had a deep connection to the pilgrimage. “She was so excited to be part of the Sadhguru group. She was his devoted follower,” her mother said.

“She was part of the S3 group. She always wanted to visit the birthplace of Lord Shiva.” The family last spoke to Terricia on Tuesday while she was sightseeing and shopping.

During a video call, Terricia showed her family some of the places she had visited before returning to her hotel to rest. “After a while, she went back to her hotel to sleep. We were meant to speak again yesterday, but she never called,” Linda said.

The family initially assumed Terricia could not make contact because of poor cellphone reception. However, at about 2.30pm, they received an email informing them that she had been with the group at the border and was now missing.

“I waited but thought that the signal was just bad. At 2.30pm, we got an email from the foundation saying she was part of the group which was at the border and was now missing,” Govender said.

“That is all the information we have received. We know nothing else.” The family says the lack of further information has left them feeling helpless and distraught.

Nepal Flood Disaster Deepens Family’s Search For Missing South African Pilgrim

Terricia recently celebrated her 33rd birthday while on the pilgrimage, making the family's ordeal even more painful. Linda said her daughter marked the occasion on August 20 with Sadhguru, an experience she considered particularly special.

“She just celebrated her birthday with Sadhguru. She felt as if she had met him for the first time on her birthday,” she said. After watching footage of the destructive flooding, the family began fearing for where Terricia might have been when the disaster unfolded.

“When we saw the videos of the flooding, we were devastated, thinking where she must have been when it happened and where she is now. I do not want to watch the videos. It is heartbreaking.” Linda said being unable to travel to Nepal or access people on the ground has made the wait even harder.

“It is so difficult being in another country and not being able to know anyone there to help us. We are lost and distraught,” Govender said. The family is now appealing for anyone with information about Terricia or the affected group to come forward.

Missing Terricia Govender’s Family Appeals For Information After Nepal Floods

Linda described Terricia as a kind, intelligent and loving person and said the family wants only one thing: for her to be found safely. “She is my second child of three. She is kind, intelligent and loving. We are just pleading to anyone who knows any information to please help us. We want her to be found safe and brought home to us.”

The family has also called for clearer communication from authorities and organisations involved in efforts to locate those affected by the floods. Linda said they were still struggling to obtain information about Terricia's whereabouts.

“We just want information. Not even the embassy is helping us,” Govender said. The family continues to wait anxiously for news as the search for missing pilgrims continues.