THE APEX TIMES
Anil Goel sent a photo of his tour group moments before flooding swept through parts of Nepal, family members said, describing his demeanor as “in his happy place” even as rescue efforts continue.
A Virginia man identified by his family as Anil Goel is missing after floods and landslides hit parts of Nepal, according to CBS News. Family members said Goel was last seen in an area near the Nepal-Tibet border where heavy rain triggered a surge of mud and water that locals described as moving like a wall.
In the account shared with CBS News, Goel sent his family in the United States a photo showing his tour group shortly before the flooding struck the region. The image, described by family members as evidence of where he was at the time, depicted Goel with other travelers during a tour connected to the border area.
Family members said Goel’s message and the photograph conveyed a sense of normal travel activity right up until the disaster. One family member characterized his state of mind as “in his happy place,” portraying him as engaged and upbeat despite the risks of travel during a period of severe weather.
As news of the flooding spread, the family said they became unable to reach Goel and began seeking information about his whereabouts. They described growing desperation for updates, saying uncertainty about what happened to him has made each passing day more difficult.
The floods in the affected area have been accompanied by rapidly moving debris flows, which can complicate rescue and identification efforts, particularly in remote terrain. In such conditions, communications can fail quickly, and last-known locations based on photos or travel details can be among the few leads available to families and authorities.
CBS News reported that the family is urging anyone with information about Goel or the tour group’s movements around the time of the disaster to come forward, emphasizing that verifying his location is critical to any further search and to ensuring families receive clear answers. No additional confirmed details about his fate were included in the report.
