Desperate search for British priest missing after horror Nepal floods while on spiritual tour

Nabhi Nandan Das, 64, from Surrey, vanished when the flash floods hit Tibet but his family are refusing to give up hope and believe he and 4,000 others still missing could be alive

The desperate family of a British priest who disappeared during the devastating floods in Nepal say they refused to accept he won't be coming home.

Nabhi Nandan Das, 65, who runs the Sanatan Mandir and Community Centre in Coulsdon, Surrey, was leading a pilgrimage tour for Alpine Eco Trek when the disaster struck a week ago. The group had been travelling on a nine-day tour to Mount Kailash in Nepal and had just crossed into China when contact with Mr Das was lost.

But news this morning brings the family hope after the Nepali army announced that 119 people have been saved after being found alive almost seven day on from the deadly floods. One of those rescued includes a British male, along with 118 Nepalese people.

The boost came hours after it was announced 36 British people remain unaccounted for, an increase from the 33 previously reported. Mass burials are being carried out across flood-hit Nepal as the death toll reached more than 1,000 people.

Mr Das's family has not heard from him since he sent them a message the day before the disaster, with his last WhatsApp activity recorded at 3.57am UK time. Now his cousin Dee Shah has described the family's anguish as they desperately search for him.

She posted online: “On 26 August 2026, our family’s lives changed forever. Our mum’s cousin, Nabhi Nandan Das, a gentle, spiritual and deeply loved 65-year-old British citizen, went missing during the devastating floods that struck the Rasuwagadhi area on the Nepal–Tibet border.

“He was travelling as a priest and group leader, guiding 16 pilgrims aged 18–65 on a spiritual tour with Alpine Eco Trek when the disaster hit without warning. Since then, we have had no contact. No messages. No calls. No updates. Just silence.”

Dee said the family had been left desperately searching for answers and would not give up hope of finding Nabhi and the group.

“All 16 members of the group remain unaccounted for,” she said. “Entire communities were swept away. Roads collapsed and communications vanished. Families across Nepal and Tibet are still searching for loved ones.

"Every hour without news is heartbreaking, but we will not stop searching for Nabhi or the group he was responsible for.”

"Nabhi is a father, brother, cousin, friend and priest who has devoted his life to serving others. He spent decades helping people in their hardest moments, offering guidance, comfort and compassion without ever asking for anything in return.

“He was selfless in the truest sense of the word. He led this pilgrimage because he believed deeply in spiritual connection, community and kindness. He cared for every member of his group as if they were family. He deserves to be found, they all do.”

The family is contacting Nepalese and Tibetan authorities, checking hospital, rescue and border-police records and speaking with witnesses, guides and local contacts.

They are also sharing missing-person appeals, monitoring updates from both sides of the border and coordinating with search teams. The family launched a GoFundMe appeal to help continue and expand the search with more than £10,000 already pledged.

The money may be used for travel to Nepal, local transport and accommodation, translators and local assistance, communication and data costs, printing and distributing appeals and obtaining information from remote areas.

Dee said: “The situation is changing rapidly. We don’t yet know what resources will be required, only that time matters, and we must act quickly.”

She said any remaining funds would be directed towards relief or search efforts for others affected by the disaster.

Dee urged anyone with information about Nabhi to come forward. She said: “Every donation, no matter the amount, brings us closer to finding Nabhi. If you cannot donate, please share this page and his photograph widely, especially with anyone in Nepal, Tibet, the Nepali and British communities, trekking and tourism networks, rescue organisations and the media.

“One share could reach the person who has seen him. One message could change everything.”