'Mum and Dad are still missing after the flooding in the Himalayas'

**'Mum and Dad are still missing after the flooding in the Himalayas'**

Prajval Haldia’s parents have been missing since 26 August

Prajval Haldia has not heard from his parents, Pavan and Kavita, since the catastrophic floods in the Himalayas two weeks ago.

The last he knew, they were enjoying their journey to the mountain range and were last reported at Gyirong Port, on the Tibet-Nepal border, en route to Mount Kailash with a tour group.

Since the devastating floods swept through the area on 26 August, communication from both of them has ceased, and Prajval has had no news of where they are.

"I think it gets harder to stay positive day by day but we're just trying to keep hope. Maybe no news is good news," said Prajval, who is from Petts Wood in south-east London.

Pavan and Kavita Haldia were on a pilgrimage to the Himalayas

More than 1,300 people were killed in the floods caused by a glacial collapse near the Nepal-Tibet border, with 5,000 still missing including more than 30 British nationals.

Prajval has been in regular contact with the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office, but so far there is no information about his parents.

"I think the first instinct was obviously for me to go out there and try and do what I can," Prajval explained.

"But, talking to people, talking to the Foreign Office and everyone, I think it's me as someone with no rescue experience or anything like that, I think I'll just create more of a hassle by going out there.

"I think there's very experienced people there, doing very important work. I think it's important to have faith in them to do that job," he added.

Prajval said his parents’ pilgrimage had been planned "for a while".

"My mum has really wanted to visit this part of the world for a long time, ever since she's seen pictures of it in school textbooks."

He said that for his parents, "the natural beauty of being in the mountains was also very important".

Prajval said his cousins who live nearby have been a "massive support", adding that more family from India were on the way.

He said he was also getting support from neighbours and people in the Hindu community.

The local temple, the Sanatan Mandir temple in Coulsdon, has offered comfort in recent days.

Sixteen people from the congregation were on a separate pilgrimage to Mount Kailash in Tibet, and are also missing.

Every evening, prayer services are being held for those missing and for the families affected.

Hearing the songs being played, Prajval said it reminded him of his mum.

"It's a sense of comfort, like it's a similar thing that I'm used to hearing at home," he said.

Sachin Bagla, the temple manager, said the atmosphere there was "very sad".

"People are constantly praying and hoping," he explained.

"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."

Bagla said the community was also looking for practical ways to help, with fundraisers being started and volunteers travelling to the region to assist.

Sachin said the affected families were being supported by the Foreign Office, and said at the temple "we just pray [for good news] until we are told otherwise".

He added: "We want to stay positive, we want to stay faithful. Keeping our faith in God is very, very important for this community of British Hindus that we are."

He said of those missing in the Himalayas: "We just pray for the people and for God to look after them, wherever they are."