Dozens of community members gathered in Auckland’s Aotea Square on Saturday to hold a candlelight vigil honoring the victims of the deadly flash floods that struck the Nepal-China border region last week, according to Radio New Zealand (RNZ). The severe weather disaster has left a significant toll, with five New Zealanders reported missing by their families and friends.
Auckland Vigil Draws Community and Leaders
Heavy rain failed to deter attendees who met at Aotea Square to show solidarity with families awaiting news of their missing loved ones. Roshan Khadka, president of the New Zealand Nepal Society, told RNZ that the local weather paled in comparison to the disaster unfolding in South Asia.
Several political figures attended the Auckland gathering to offer support. Ethnic Communities Minister Mark Mitchell urged families to maintain hope, stating that New Zealand is prepared to assist with recovery efforts if requested. National Party MPs Melissa Lee and Carlos Cheung, along with Labour MP Vanushi Walters and Indian Consul General Madan Mohan Sethi, also participated in the event. Sethi confirmed to RNZ that the Indian consulate is providing direct support to the family of missing New Zealanders Kinnari and Mihir Patel.
Search and Rescue Operations Continue in Rasuwa
Rescue efforts remain active in Nepal following the flash floods that hit midweek with little warning. According to CNN and The Guardian, the Nepali Army has deployed specialized equipment, including inserting air pipes into a hydropower tunnel in Rasuwa where a large group of workers and individuals remain trapped. Earlier estimates indicated that over 100 people were trapped within the subterranean structure as rescuers worked to pump oxygen and clear blocked passages.
The sudden inundation caught residents and travelers off guard. Families trapped on balconies and inside structures have described narrow escapes from the rapidly rising waters. Relief organizations and local officials have stepped up fundraising campaigns, directing contributions toward the Prime Minister’s Disaster Relief Fund to aid immediate rescue and recovery operations.
Missing New Zealanders Identified
Friends and family have identified five New Zealand citizens missing in the disaster zone as Mihir Patel, Kinnari Patel, Shweta Mhatre, Dejan Kuzmic, and Suhasini Reddy, according to RNZ. Mhatre and Kuzmic were reportedly participating in the Isha Foundation’s Sacred Walks pilgrimage tour when the flash floods occurred. The Isha Foundation confirmed to RNZ that emergency contacts for the missing participants had been notified as diplomatic and consular teams coordinate with local authorities on the ground.