Surrey A-level student and family among the missing after Nepal flash floods

Spandan Sahu had just finished his A-levels at Royal Grammar School, Guildford

An A-level student from Surrey and his family are among those missing and feared dead after flash floods in Nepal.

Spandan Sahu, 18, was in Nepal with his father Santosh Sahu, 46, who was chief executive of UK pharmaceutical technology company Charac, his mother Surabhi Manmath Padhy, 44, and sister Syna Kumari Sahu, 13.

Spandan had just finished his A-levels at Royal Grammar School, Guildford, and according to his LinkedIn was preparing to study philosophy, politics and economics at university.

His profile said he was a senior prefect at the private school and a member of the hockey and cricket teams.

A spokesperson for the school said: "It is with great concern that we have been informed that a former student, along with members of his family, have been reported missing in Nepal.

"Whilst we are hoping for positive news, we do not have any further information at this time.

"Our thoughts, love and deepest sympathies are with all of the families and loved ones of anyone affected by this tragedy in Nepal at this incredibly difficult time."

Some 33 British nationals are believed to be unaccounted for in Nepal.

Deepesh Patel told the Press Association that his parents Bipin Patel, 66, and Mala Patel, 60, from Coventry, were missing after flying to Nepal on August 22 to make a pilgrimage to the sacred Hindu site of Mount Kailash.

He said the family last heard from the couple, who run a tutoring business, on Tuesday, and their last known location was in the Gyirong area of the Nepal-China border.

His brother Anant Patel, told Sky News he was "shocked" at the lack of information about their whereabouts.

Anant Patel said: "I think from our perspective, we're not just shocked that our parents appear to be missing, but also... the ongoing lack of certainty is causing further distress."

A number of those missing had been making the pilgrimage to Mount Kailash.

Nepalese tour operator The Trekkers' Society said nine British nationals on one of its tours to the site were among those unaccounted for – four males, aged 14, 50, 50, and 54, and five women, aged 40, 46, 50, 50, and 53.

General manager Roshan Basnet told the Press Association: "When the flood happened, they were still at the Chinese immigration (at) the border."

He added: "We have yet to get the confirmation of what state they're in, but as for the video that is circulating on the internet, we believe that it's a pretty difficult (situation)."

Tour operator Alpine Eco Trek said a 13-year-old girl was among the missing British nationals, as well as two Irish citizens.

Among the missing British nationals are three men aged 65, 64 and 52, and seven women aged 44, 47, 51, 60, 63, 63, and 65, according to travel logs obtained by PA.

Kumar Adhikari, manager of Alpine Eco Trek, said the tour group, who were on a nine-day tour to Mount Kailash, were crossing into Tibet from Nepal when they became trapped at the border as the flash floods struck.

He said he was in contact with his tour guides until 8.40am, when their phones went offline, at which point the group would have been inside Tibet's immigration office.

"We were hoping that inside it was safe," he said.

"But later the video came from China's government which (showed) even Tibet's side was hit by the flood."

The manager said he was fielding "thousands" of missed calls from families in the UK.

Tour operator Kailash Journeys said it had not been able to account for seven UK nationals – five women and two men aged between 18 and 55, travelling with the company.

Among those missing with links to the UK are:

– Sarada Simkhada, a senior nurse at Darent Valley Hospital in Kent, who was in Nepal making a pilgrimage to Mount Kailash.

Her brother Shambhu wrote on social media: "My dear sister, wherever you are, please stay strong. We are praying for your safety every moment and waiting desperately for you to return home."

– Leena Bector, a director of a care agency from Slough, west London, who is among 27 travellers associated with the Fishtail Tours and Travels group currently unaccounted for.

Her husband, Bhupesh Bector, told The Times: "I know that she's in Nepal for sure... so even if they find her today or tomorrow, I need to be there."

– Hema Amin, from Croydon, south London, who started a pilgrimage to Gosainkunda lake on Monday that was supposed to last until September 4.

Her husband, Sunil Amin, told Sky News: "I keep trying to call her. I've been trying, trying, trying."

– Nabhi Nandan Das, a Hindu priest from south London, was leading a group on a tour to Mount Kailash and Lake Mansarovar.

The Telegraph reported that the 64-year-old priest, who lives in Streatham, south london and works at the Sanatan Mandir and Community Centre in Coulsdon, Surrey, was leading 11 Britons, including the missing 13-year-old girl, on the tour.

– Sumitra Poudel disappeared in the floods and her 24-year-old British businessman husband flew to Nepal on Thursday to search for her as well as his mother, uncle and brother.

Pramod Poudel, who runs a Nepalese street food company in Sussex, told The Telegraph: "The flood came and took everyone, including the house.

"I haven't heard from them because there's no power or anything. I am very sad."