Family members of a woman from Bartlett, missing due to last week’s catastrophic floods in Nepal, have been in Kathmandu since Monday. They hope to locate her and bring her home safely. Poonam Thakkar, aged 42, started a holy pilgrimage to Mount Kailash near the Nepal-Tibet border on August 20. Her journey mirrored that of her eldest sister, Bhumika, who completed the same trip the previous year. Presently, Bhumika and two cousins have traveled to Nepal to follow the path Poonam was on when she disappeared during the August 26 flood, middle sister Gunjan reported on Wednesday.
“They aim to visit the affected area because we believe she’s still there,” Gunjan remarked. The family’s hope remains high as survivors have emerged throughout the week since the flood, which resulted from a glacier collapse in the Himalayas. The official death toll had exceeded 1,100 as of Wednesday, with nearly 4,000 still missing.
A relative was observed speaking on a mobile phone while examining photographs of the missing at Tribhuvan University Teaching hospital in Kathmandu on August 31, 2026. This moment highlights the ongoing search efforts.
Poonam left Chicago on August 20 for an organized tour to the Tibet border, scheduled to start on August 23. Family members last spoke with her by phone the day prior to the flood. “The conversation was casual, and she was expressing how excited she was about beginning the pilgrimage,” shared Gunjan. “She was savoring every moment.”
Poonam holds dual citizenship in the U.S. and Canada. She worked in Canada before joining her sisters and immediate family in Bartlett 7 ½ years ago. Poonam is a senior manager at one of the top four consulting firms, and colleagues have reached out to support her family, Gunjan mentioned.
Bhumika had intended to depart for Nepal immediately after the flood, but travel advisories discouraged such quick moves. By the time the family flew to Nepal, obtaining a flight was relatively straightforward. Currently, they are unable to go beyond Kathmandu, maintaining contact with relevant authorities, including those from the U.S. and Canadian embassies. These authorities have provided compassionate yet standard responses, as per Gunjan.
They have met with other families seeking missing relatives. Together, they form groups that convene each morning to allocate daily tasks and collaborate on their discoveries. The intended destination continues to suffer from rain, mudslides, and power outages, yet Kathmandu serves as a relatively secure base for operations, Gunjan added.
While the quest for information and Poonam herself continues, Gunjan asks those learning about her sister’s situation to send positive thoughts and wishes for her safe return.
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