Surrey Community Rallies as Local Priest Remains Missing in Nepal
A Community’s Anguish: Understanding What Happened
The quiet villages and towns across Surrey — from Guildford to Woking, Dorking and beyond — have been shaken by news of a devastating disaster unfolding thousands of miles away. Nabhi Nandan Das, 64, a respected figure who runs the Sanatan Mandir and Community Centre in Coulsdon, was leading a spiritual pilgrimage through Nepal when catastrophic flash floods swept through the region on August 26. The natural disaster, which has claimed over 1,000 lives across Nepal and affected neighbouring Tibet, caught the group of 16 pilgrims, including 11 British nationals, by surprise. The family last heard from Mr Das the day before the flooding struck. His wife and son have travelled to Nepal in hopes of locating him, though they remain unable to cross the border into China where the group was last confirmed to be. The uncertainty and pain facing his loved ones, along with other British families caught in this tragedy, reflects the very human cost of such sudden natural disasters.
Local Networks Mobilising: How Our Community Can Help
What makes this tragedy deeply personal to Surrey residents is the tight-knit nature of our community and how swiftly neighbours have come together. Dee Shah, a relative, has launched a GoFundMe fundraiser that has already raised over £10,000 to support Mr Das’s family with travel costs and to assist search and rescue operations. The funds collected will also contribute to funeral arrangements for those missing from the tour group, with any surplus donated to the Red Cross’s Nepal relief efforts. For those in Cobham, East Horsley, Horsley and surrounding villages, this is a reminder of how quickly tragedy can strike families we know. Spandan Sahu, just 18 years old and a recent Royal Grammar School, Guildford graduate, was part of the tour group alongside his parents and younger sister. The family’s story has resonated across Surrey, prompting many to consider how they might contribute during times of crisis. Those wishing to support can access the fundraiser through local community channels, with every contribution directly helping to bring closure to grieving families.
What Comes Next: Community Resilience and Moving Forward
Alpine Eco Trek, the tour operator managing the pilgrimage, has confirmed they maintained contact with guides until 8.40am on the morning of the disaster, when phones went offline. The company is now facing an unprecedented wave of inquiries from British families, with the Foreign Office reporting 36 British citizens unaccounted for across the affected regions. The search continues, though authorities acknowledge the scale of the disaster makes recovery operations extremely challenging. For our Surrey community, this incident underscores the importance of supporting one another during times of crisis. Whether it’s through fundraising, prayer, or simply raising awareness among friends and neighbours, local engagement matters. The Sanatan Mandir and Community Centre in Coulsdon has become a focal point for those seeking to help. Residents across Guildford, Woking, Dorking and surrounding areas should remain alert for updates from official channels. This tragedy reminds us that community support — whether during natural disasters abroad or challenges closer to home — is what binds us together and helps families rebuild.
Source: Desperate search for Surrey man, 64, missing after flash floods in Nepal
