Gift of the Givers Reveals 6 Missing South Africans As 11-Member Rescue Team Is on Stand by

• Gift of the Givers revealed the identities of six South Africans reported missing after catastrophic floods struck Nepal
• The humanitarian organisation placed an 11-member rescue team on standby, including four SAPS officers with search-and-rescue dogs
• The family of Terricia Govender from KwaZulu-Natal pleaded for her safe return as conditions at the disaster site remained dangerous

SOUTH AFRICA - Gift of the Givers has named six South Africans missing after severe floods devastated parts of Nepal, as the organisation holds an 11-member rescue team ready to deploy should international help be formally requested.

The six are among roughly 1,400 people reported missing following the disaster, which was triggered by a glacier collapse near the Nepal-Tibet border. Thousands of homes, businesses and shopping centres have reportedly been destroyed in the flooding.

The six South Africans named as missing

Those confirmed missing by Gift of the Givers include Surendranath Maharaj, 74, and his wife Anita Devi Maharaj, 67, from Ladysmith. Also missing is Bavila Ramjee, 43, from East London, and Vivaganathan Pillay, 66, and his wife Janet Pillay, 56. Terricia Govender, 33, from Isipingo Beach in KwaZulu-Natal, rounds out the six.

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Gift of the Givers waits for green light

Organisation founder Imtiaz Sooliman said the team, which includes four South African Police Service officers and their search-and-rescue dogs, was ready but had been advised to hold back.

"They suggested not sending any teams for now because there is no clarity as to an announcement being made by the Nepalese government for international assistance," Sooliman said.

He noted that helicopters were currently unable to land at the site, making access extremely difficult. There are also fears that another dam could collapse, raising the risk of further destruction. Should the Nepalese government issue a formal request, rescue operations would be based in Kathmandu, approximately 125km from the disaster zone. Gift of the Givers is already in contact with the Nepalese embassy in South Africa, which has confirmed it is prepared to fast-track visas if needed.

Meanwhile, Nepalese authorities have urged residents to move to higher ground after reports emerged that an upstream dam in Tibet was leaking. Chinese rescue workers in Tibet have also reportedly been told to pause their operations over fears of additional flooding.

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Durban woman among pilgrims missing after Nepal-Tibet floods

KZN family prays for Terricia's return

Briefly News also reported that back in KwaZulu-Natal, the family of Terricia Govender is clinging to hope. She had been on a pilgrimage to Mount Kailash when the floods struck, and turned 33 on Tuesday while still unaccounted for. Her mother, Linda Govender, said the family was in a state of devastation. Linda confirmed the family had received communication from both. Gift of the Givers and the Nepalese government, though no information about Terricia's whereabouts had come through.

Source: Briefly News