S'porean woman missing in Nepal floods known for helping children's home & had planned to meet up with local friends

One Singaporean woman missing in the Nepal floods had discussed plans to meet up with a Nepali friend just one day before the disaster struck.

She is remembered as being kind-hearted and for helping at a children's home in Nepal.

Nine Singaporeans remain missing after floodwaters abruptly rushed through valleys near the Nepal-Tibet border on Aug. 26, sweeping away villages.

Search and rescue efforts are now in their fifth day as a total of more than 2,400 continue to be missing, while at least 675 have died, the BBC reported.

Discussed plans to meet up with Nepali friend

The Singaporean woman, Estee Loeh, had spoken to a Nepali friend on the phone on Aug. 25, Shin Min Daily News reported.

This was one day prior to the disaster.

The Nepali friend, Dawa (transliteration), said, "She called and said that she was at the Nepal-China border. The last time we met was last year. We discussed plans to meet up. Who knew the floods would happen the next day."

Loeh told Dawa over the phone that she was not travelling with a tour agency and was travelling alone.

She also said that she had met her friends from China.

It is believed that Loeh had registered with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

"She has been to Nepal a number of times and is considerably familiar with the area," Dawa told Shin Min.

After the flood, Dawa recalled that Loeh was travelling alone in the affected area.

He immediately alerted the local and Singaporean authorities.

"She still hasn't been found. Many local and Singaporean friends have been seeking information on her whereabouts. Everyone's worried and hope she will be found," Dawa said.

Made visits to Nepal to help local communities

Another of Loeh's friends, founder of travel agency Bhutan Advantage Travel Partnership, shared that he was extremely upset after learning that Loeh had gone missing.

The founder told Shin Min that he and Loeh had visited an orphanage together when Loeh travelled to Nepal and Bhutan in 2018.

He remembers Loeh as someone whose love knows no boundaries and as a kind-hearted individual.

Loeh not only worked with local social services, but she also helped provide essential services to underprivileged children.

According to Shin Min, the founder had also made a Facebook post thanking Loeh for her many visits to Kopila Children Home in Nepal, during which she helped with the distribution of food and drink and donated US$500 (S$637).

Eight other Singaporeans missing

Apart from Loeh, eight other Singaporeans are also missing after the flood, including 53-year-old Sumit Rawla and his 49-year-old wife Shubakshi Rawla.

They were travelling with a tour group operated by Himalayan Glacier when the floods struck.

Four other Singaporeans who travelled with Leaf Holiday also remain missing.

They were on a pilgrimage when the disaster struck.

Their photos, along with those of others who are missing, were publicly shared by the tour agency as it requested information on their whereabouts.

40-year-old Shalinny Deavy and 66-year-old S. Maniam are part of the four.

Some Singaporeans in Nepal to help with disaster relief

Following the floods, one 63-year-old Singaporean and his wife had travelled to Nepal to help out with the rescue and disaster relief efforts, Shin Min reported.

The 63-year-old, Qiu Jian Yi (transliteration), has been volunteering with Tzu Chi Singapore for close to 30 years.

He told Shin Min that he has volunteered in Nepal for about three to four years.

"As soon as I could get to Nepal, I headed over. Every second matters, I'll help where I can," Qiu told Shin Min.

At the moment, Qiu is in Chitwan,  about 100km to 200km from the disaster-stricken area.

He is travelling alongside three Nepali volunteers, one Singaporean and one Malaysian.

His wife is also helping with disaster relief efforts elsewhere in Nepal.

Two other Singaporeans are helping out with administrative matters, Shin Min reported.

According to Qiu, the weather in the disaster area is bad, and local authorities have warned of landslides.

As such, the volunteers are cautious about sending in large amounts of aid into the area.

Qiu told Shin Min that the biggest need at the moment is likely medical supplies and food.