Key Takeaways
- Anal Kar (chemical engineer) and Sanjukta Kar (teacher), a UK‑based Indian‑origin couple from Kolkata, went missing during a Kailash Mansarovar pilgrimage in flood‑affected Nepal.
- The couple arrived in Kathmandu on 18 August after visiting relatives in Kolkata and were last traced to Timure, near the Nepal‑Tibet border.
- Their final known communication was a WhatsApp message sent by Sanjukta at ≈ 8 am on 26 August, warning of a landslide alert and stating they were moving to higher ground on foot.
- Since that message, no further contact has been possible; the family has engaged the travel agency, local police, and West Bengal’s chief minister for assistance.
- Ongoing search efforts are hampered by widespread flash floods and mudslides that have devastated roads and communication links in the region.
- The family remains hopeful that Anal and Sanjukta will be located safely and returned home.
Background of the Couple
Anal Kar and Sanjukta Kar are a British‑resident Indian‑origin couple whose families originate from Kolkata, West Bengal. Anal works as a chemical engineer, while Sanjukta is employed as a teacher. The pair relocated to the United Kingdom in 2001 and have built a life there with their two children. Both share a deep affection for the Himalayas, which has motivated several trekking expeditions over the years. Their most recent Himalayan trek occurred just a few months before the ill‑fated Kailash Mansarovar pilgrimage, underscoring their longstanding passion for high‑altitude travel and spiritual journeys.
Journey to Nepal and Arrival in Kathmandu
On 18 August, Anal and Sanjukta arrived in Kathmandu after a brief stay in Kolkata to meet relatives. The trip was organized through a travel agency that specializes in pilgrimage tours to the sacred Kailash Mansarovar region, which straddles the Nepal‑Tibet border. From Kathmandu, the couple proceeded northward along the traditional route toward the border crossing at Timure, a small settlement that serves as a gateway for pilgrims heading into the Tibetan Autonomous Region. Their itinerary included completing immigration formalities at the border before continuing the trek to the holy lake and mountain.
Last Contact and the Final Message
The family’s last trace of the couple places them in Timure on the morning of 26 August. Earlier that evening, on 25 August, Sanjukta had shared several photographs from the journey with her father, Ranjit Dutta, via WhatsApp. At approximately 8 am on 26 August, she sent a final message to a WhatsApp group of friends, stating: “A landslide alert has been issued in the area; we are trying to reach a safe location on foot as quickly as possible.” This message was the last known communication from either Anal or Sanjukta. After sending it, the couple ceased to respond to calls, texts, or any other form of contact, prompting immediate concern among their relatives.
Family’s Response and Search Efforts
Upon realizing that the couple was missing, Ranjit Dutta and other family members promptly contacted the travel agency that had arranged the pilgrimage. The agency, however, could not provide any concrete information about the couple’s whereabouts or condition. The following day, Sanjukta’s aunt approached the local police; a team from Bhawani Bhavan visited the family’s residence in the UK to collect details and formally initiate a missing‑person report. The family has since been in regular communication with Indian consular officials in Nepal, urging them to prioritize the search and to coordinate with Nepali authorities for any leads.
Official Involvement and Political Outreach
The case attracted attention beyond the immediate family. West Bengal’s chief minister, Suvendu Adhikari, spoke directly with the couple’s relatives over the phone, expressing concern and offering governmental support in the search efforts. Additionally, the family has liaised with the Indian Ministry of External Affairs, which has been in touch with Nepal’s home ministry and disaster‑management agencies. Given the widespread devastation caused by flash floods and landslides across Nepal’s mountainous regions, officials have acknowledged the difficulty of conducting ground searches but have pledged to deploy rescue teams, helicopters, and satellite imagery where feasible.
Current Situation and Hope for Resolution
As of the latest updates, the area surrounding Timure and the broader Nuwakot district remains severely affected by flood‑induced mudslides, which have washed away roads, disrupted communication networks, and heightened the risk of further landslides. These conditions have hampered both aerial and ground rescue operations, making it challenging to locate the missing couple. Despite the grim circumstances, Anal and Sanjukta’s family continues to hold onto hope, clinging to the belief that the duo may have found shelter or are awaiting rescue. They persist in urging authorities to maintain search efforts, to share any new information promptly, and to bring the couple home safely. The ordeal underscores the unpredictable dangers faced by pilgrims and trekkers in the Himalayas, especially during the monsoon season when natural hazards intensify.