Baripada: The family of 22-year-old Kulsum Nigara in Baripada heaved a sigh of relief after receiving information that she is safe in Nepal. Kulsum had been uncontactable since August 25 while on a trekking trip to Pokhara, amid reports of devastating floods in the neighbouring country.

Kulsum, a resident of Ward No. 23 in Baripada city of Mayurbhanj district, had travelled to Nepal with a group of 12 people.

As per her father Sheikh Salamat Ullah, Kulsum left Baripada for Kolkata by bus on August 21. From Kolkata, she travelled to Raxaul in Bihar by the Mithila Express along with her friend Deepika Ekka, who had come from Bhubaneswar.

The group subsequently travelled from Raxaul to Pokhara in Nepal by taxi.

On August 25, at around 11 am, Kulsum spoke to her family and informed them that she was heading out for trekking. She reportedly told them that there could be no mobile network coverage in the trekking area and that she would contact them after returning.

However, her family became anxious after learning about the severe flooding in Nepal. Repeated attempts to reach her by phone went unanswered, prompting the family to seek help from the administration and the Odisha government.

The family had urged the authorities to coordinate with their Nepalese counterparts to trace Kulsum and ensure her safe return.

Mayurbhanj Collector Hemant Sai and SP Barun Guntupalli had earlier said the administration was aware of the matter and was coordinating with the Nepal authorities.

The latest confirmation Kulsum is safe has brought much-needed relief to her family.