Kharaj Mukherjee, Wife Stranded In Nepal As Devastating Floods Disrupt Rescue Efforts
Kharaj Mukherjee, wife stranded amid Nepal floods.
Popular Bengali actor Kharaj Mukherjee and his wife Pratibha are stranded in Nepal following devastating flash floods that have disrupted travel across parts of the Himalayan country, their family said on Thursday. Mukherjee, a familiar face in Bengali cinema who has also appeared in several Hindi films, had travelled to Nepal with his wife for a film shoot. The couple arrived in Nepal on August 20 with the production team of a Bangladeshi film. They were accompanied by family members and friends and had planned to return after completing their work.
However, the worsening situation caused by the flash floods has disrupted their travel plans, leaving the group unable to fly back from Kathmandu. A family member said Mukherjee had spoken to them over the phone and assured them that he and Pratibha were safe despite the difficult circumstances. Fellow Bengali actor Rajatabha Dutta, who is also stranded in Nepal along with Mukherjee, was also reported to be safe. The group is now exploring an alternative route to return to India. According to the family, the stranded group plans to travel by road from Nepal to Gorakhpur in Uttar Pradesh and then take a flight to Kolkata.
The change in plans comes as air travel from Kathmandu remains affected amid the wider disruption caused by the floods and the ongoing rescue and relief operations. The group is waiting for conditions to allow them to make the journey safely. Mukherjee is a well-known name in the Bengali film industry and has built a career spanning several decades. His Bengali film credits include Accident, Muktodhara and Jaatishwar, while his Hindi film appearances include The Namesake, Kahaani, Yuva, Parineeta, Laga Chunari Mein Daag, Special 26 and Lafangey Parindey. His work across Bengali and Hindi cinema has made him a recognisable figure among audiences in both industries.
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The actor and his wife became stranded as Nepal continued to deal with one of its worst flood disasters in recent years. The death toll from the massive flash floods had risen to 177, while authorities were conducting search and rescue operations for thousands of people reported missing. Among those missing were hundreds of Indian nationals, including tourists and other travellers who had been in Nepal when the disaster struck. The situation has prompted concern in neighbouring India, particularly in states such as West Bengal, from where large numbers of tourists, pilgrims and workers travel to Nepal.
West Bengal Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari expressed grief over the loss of lives and offered condolences to families affected by the disaster. He said the state government was closely monitoring the situation and coordinating with the Indian Embassy in Kathmandu and Nepalese authorities. The West Bengal government has also been seeking to assist people from the state who have been affected by the floods, including tourists, pilgrims, workers and businessmen. For Mukherjee, his wife and the others travelling with them, the immediate priority remains reaching India safely. Their family said they have remained in contact with them and that the actor has assured them that they are safe despite being unable to return by air.
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