Three Members of Same Family Missing in Bhotekoshi Flood, Rokaya Family Endures Unbearable Grief

Dragon Media Correspondent

What could be more painful than having three members of the same family go missing at once? That unimaginable grief has fallen upon Analal Rokaya, a resident of Nepalgunj Sub-Metropolitan City–20, whose son, elder brother and sister-in-law remain missing following the devastating Bhotekoshi flood.

Rokaya’s 19-year-old son, Deepak Rokaya, had travelled to Rasuwa to meet his uncle, 53-year-old Sher Singh Rokaya, and aunt, 56-year-old Bishnumati, who were working in the Timure area near the Rasuwa Customs Office. Deepak had also planned to visit the sacred pilgrimage site of Gosaikunda. All three went missing in the flood.

The disappearance of his only son, whom he regarded as his support in old age, together with his elder brother and sister-in-law, who had long served as parental figures, has left Rokaya’s family devastated. Their home in Thapuwa is now filled with silence, tears and an agonising wait for any news of their loved ones.

Caught between the faint hope that they might somehow return and the growing despair as time passes, the family continues to wait. Although hopes of finding them alive are gradually fading, the family is still seeking official confirmation of their fate.

At this time of profound grief, residents of the ward have come forward to support the Rokaya family. A team led by Acting Ward Chair Chakrabahadur Budha of Nepalgunj Sub-Metropolitan City–20 visited Rokaya’s residence on Monday with financial assistance collected through the initiative of local residents.

“The amount is very small compared with the unimaginable pain you are going through,” Budha told Rokaya. “This is not just financial assistance. The entire ward stands with you. We will continue to support the search for the missing and provide whatever assistance the family may need in the days ahead.”

For Rokaya, overwhelmed by the disappearance of three close family members at once, the solidarity shown by his neighbours has provided at least some emotional support.

“Support cannot be measured as small or large. At this difficult moment, the people of the ward have stood with us, from helping in the search efforts to providing financial assistance. Their support has helped ease our pain,” Rokaya said, his eyes filled with tears.

As hopes of seeing their loved ones return alive continue to diminish, the family is now also waiting for the missing persons to be identified, even if only so that they can perform their final rites. Rokaya said DNA samples have been submitted for comparison with bodies recovered following the flood.

“At least if the DNA reports match, we will officially know what happened to my brother, sister-in-law and son,” he said, expressing a mixture of hope and despair.

The devastating Bhotekoshi flood has left 23 people from Banke district alone missing. According to Banke Chief District Officer Dil Kumar Tamang, 32 people from the district have so far been rescued safely, while three have been identified among those found after the disaster.

For the families of those who remain missing, however, every passing day continues to be marked by memories, unbearable grief and an agonising wait with no clear end in sight.