Amid ‘uncertainty and anguish’ councillor announces cancellation of celebrations out of respect for families of the pilgrims missing in the catastrophic Himalayan flooding
Still no news: some of the pilgrims from the Coulsdon temple, before the horrendous Himalayas flash flood
There will be no Diwali celebration in Coulsdon this year, due to the “devastating impact” on local families following the floods in Nepal and Tibet last month.
A party of 16 pilgrims from the Coulsdon Mandir, and their four guides, have not been heard from since the torrent of mud, water and debris wiped out entire villages along a Himalayan valley 16 days ago.
More than 1,300 people were killed in the floods that were triggered by a glacial collapse near the Nepal-Tibet border, with 5,000 still missing, including more than 30 British nationals.
The disaster happened on the morning of August 26. A wall of water, debris and mud came coursing down the steep-sided mountain valley, triggered by the collapse of a melting glacier on the border between Nepal and Tibet. The Gyirong Port border crossing in Tibet was completely obliterated, while several other villages were also washed away.
The Coulsdon group, led by priest Nabhi Nandan Das, was believed to have reached Tibet on their pilgrimage to the sacred Mount Kailash. News from Tibet, which is under Chinese control, has been difficult to obtain.
This week, Croydon councillor Nikhil Sherine Thampi issued a statement, together with Ginny Singh, on behalf of the Coulsdon Indian Community.
“Our deepest thoughts and prayers are with everyone affected by the devastating floods in Nepal and Tibet, particularly the families and loved ones of the 16 pilgrim members from Coulsdon Mandir who are reported missing.
“With this heartbreaking situation and the devastating impact it is having on families within our community, we have taken the difficult decision”, Thampi wrote, to cancel this year’s Coulsdon Diwali celebration. The event had been due to be held on November 7.
And the statement, circulated on social media, added: “At this time of such uncertainty and anguish, we stand together as a community in solidarity, compassion and prayer, with our hearts firmly with the families waiting for news and our shared hope, above all, for the safe return of those who are missing.”
The BBC has also visited the Coulsdon Mandir, where they spoke with Sachin Bagla, the manager of the temple. “People are constantly praying and hoping,” he said.
Grief: Sachin Bagli has been managing daily prayers in Coulsdon
“We know that with every passing day, every passing hour, it becomes more and more difficult. But people are staying together, keeping the faith, and praying to god, offering support in whatever ways they can, especially to the family members.”
The Foreign Office has provided some support for affected families. “We just pray until we are told otherwise,” Bagla said.
“We want to stay positive, we want to stay faithful. We just pray for the people and for God to look after them, wherever they are.”
The Coulsdon group was on pilgrimage to Mount Kailash in Tibet. Each evening, prayer services are being held for those missing.
Read more: Coulsdon temple’s 16 pilgrims all missing after floods in Tibet
PAID ADS: To advertise your services or products to our 10,000 weekday visitors to the site, as featured on Google News Showcase, email us inside.croydon@btinternet.com for our unbeatable ad rates
- If you have a news story about life in or around Croydon, or want to publicise your residents’ association or business, or if you have a local event to promote, please email us with full details at inside.croydon@btinternet.com
- Our comments section on every report provides all readers with an immediate “right of reply” on all our content. Our comments policy can be read by clicking here
