A Singaporean woman who remains missing following severe flooding in Nepal had spoken to a local friend just one day before the disaster, saying she hoped to meet up with friends in the area.
Estee Loeh, who had travelled to Nepal alone, is among nine Singaporeans still unaccounted for after sudden floodwaters swept through valleys near the Nepal-Tibet border on Aug. 26.
Loeh is also remembered by people who knew her for her previous volunteer work in Nepal, including visits to a children’s home where she helped provide food and drinks and made a donation.
According to Shin Min Daily News, Loeh spoke to her Nepali friend, Dawa, over the phone on Aug. 25 — just one day before the floods struck. Dawa said Loeh told him she was at the Nepal-China border and that she was travelling independently rather than as part of a tour group.
She had planned to meet friends in Nepal
Dawa said the pair had discussed meeting up during their conversation. He recalled that their previous meeting had taken place the year before.
Loeh also told Dawa that she had met friends from China during her trip. She was believed to have registered her travel details with Singapore’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
Dawa said Loeh had visited Nepal several times and was familiar with the country. After learning about the floods, he alerted both local authorities and Singaporean authorities.
With Loeh still missing, friends in Nepal and Singapore have been trying to find information about her whereabouts.
The disaster has resulted in a major search and rescue operation in the affected region. Nine Singaporeans, including Loeh, remain missing, while more than 2,400 people were still unaccounted for and at least 675 people had died, according to a BBC report cited by Mothership.
Remembered for helping children in Nepal
Loeh’s previous trips to Nepal also left a strong impression on people who knew her.
The founder of Bhutan Advantage Travel Partnership told Shin Min that he had travelled with Loeh to Nepal and Bhutan in 2018. During the trip, they visited an orphanage together.
He described Loeh as kind-hearted and someone who cared deeply about helping local communities. She had also worked with local social services and contributed towards providing essential assistance to underprivileged children.
According to Shin Min, the travel agency founder had previously posted on Facebook to thank Loeh for her repeated visits to Kopila Children Home in Nepal.
During those visits, she helped distribute food and drinks and donated US$500, which was reported as approximately S$637.
Eight other Singaporeans remain missing
Loeh is not the only Singaporean still missing following the Nepal floods.
Among the others are 53-year-old Sumit Rawla and his 49-year-old wife, Shubakshi Rawla. The couple had been travelling with a tour group operated by Himalayan Glacier when the flooding occurred.
Four other Singaporeans who travelled with Leaf Holiday also remain unaccounted for. They had been in Nepal for a pilgrimage when the disaster struck.
The tour agency has publicly shared photographs of those who remain missing in an effort to gather information about their whereabouts. Two of those identified are 40-year-old Shalinny Deavy and 66-year-old S. Maniam.
Meanwhile, some Singaporeans have travelled to Nepal to assist with relief efforts following the disaster.
A 63-year-old Singaporean, Qiu Jian Yi, and his wife travelled to the country to help with rescue and disaster relief operations. Qiu has volunteered with Tzu Chi Singapore for nearly three decades and has also spent several years volunteering in Nepal.
Qiu said he travelled to Nepal as soon as he was able to do so because every moment was important during the emergency.
He was in Chitwan, around 100km to 200km from the worst-affected area, alongside Nepali volunteers as well as Singaporean and Malaysian volunteers.
His wife was assisting with relief operations elsewhere in Nepal, while two other Singaporeans were helping with administrative work.
The difficult weather conditions in the disaster zone have complicated relief efforts, with local authorities warning of landslides. Volunteers have therefore been cautious about sending large quantities of aid into the affected areas.
According to Qiu, medical supplies and food are among the most urgent needs at present.