The priest, identified as 65-year-old Nabhi Nandan Das, runs the Sanatan Mandir and Community Centre in Coulsdon, Surrey.
Das was reportedly leading a pilgrimage tour organised by Alpine Eco Trek when disaster struck in the Rasuwagadhi area near the Nepal–Tibet border on August 26, 2026.
His family said they have been unable to contact him since he sent them a message before the disaster.
His last WhatsApp activity was reportedly recorded at 3:57am UK time on August 26.
Das’s cousin, Dee Shah, described the family’s pain as they continue searching for him and the members of the pilgrimage group.
She said: “On 26 August 2026, our family’s lives changed forever.
“He was travelling as a priest and group leader, guiding 16 pilgrims aged 18–65 on a spiritual tour with Alpine Eco Trek when the disaster hit without warning.
“Since then, we have had no contact.
“His last WhatsApp activity was at 3:57am UK time on 26 August.
“No messages.
“No calls.
“No updates.
“Just silence.”
Shah said the entire group had also remained unaccounted for as the scale of the disaster continued to emerge.
“All 16 members of the group remain unaccounted for,” she said.
“Entire communities were swept away.
“Roads collapsed.
“Communications vanished.
“Families across Nepal and Tibet are still searching for loved ones.
“Every hour without news is heartbreaking.
“But we will not stop searching for Nabhi or the group he was responsible for.”
According to Shah, Das had spent decades supporting people through difficult periods of their lives and was deeply committed to his religious and community work.
She said: “Nabhi is a father, brother, cousin, friend and priest who has devoted his life to serving others.
“He spent decades helping people in their hardest moments, offering guidance, comfort and compassion without ever asking for anything in return.
“He was selfless in the truest sense of the word.
“He led this pilgrimage because he believed deeply in spiritual connection, community and kindness.
“He cared for every member of his group as if they were family.
“He deserves to be found.
“They all do.”
The family is now urgently raising funds to support the search effort and help expand the efforts to locate Das and the other members of the pilgrimage group.
For his relatives, the search continues with the hope that they will receive news about their loved ones after the devastating floods.
