Local Nepalese business owner awaiting word from his missing uncle caught in massive flood, according to family

COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. (KRDO) - At least 150 people are dead and hundreds remain missing after a massive flash flood struck communities near the Nepal-China border.

The flood destroyed houses, bridges and schools, leaving widespread devastation in its wake. The disaster is reaching local residents in Colorado Springs, where a grocery store owner is searching for news of his missing uncle.

“He's missing. He was swept by the flood, and we don't know his whereabouts,” Santosh Pandey, co-owner of Little Nepal Grocery said.

Pandey and his father co-own Little Nepal Grocery in Colorado Springs. Pandey said his family was devastated after learning that his uncle was among those swept away by the surging waters.

While trying to contact relatives in Nepal, the family is also working to rally local assistance for flood victims.

“We are trying to be together, gather all the support we can gather from the community and, send it back home,” Pandey said.

The Pandey family is affiliated with the Nepalese Association of Colorado Springs. The organization's president said members plan to hold a vigil to honor those who lost their lives in the tragedy.

A date and time for the vigil have not yet been scheduled, but updates will be shared when they are available

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