Search continues for missing M’sian doctor feared drowned in India

GEORGE TOWN: The search for Dr Balraj Sethi, who was swept away while trying to rescue his father in the Alaknanda River in Uttarakhand, India on Sept 24, will be extended until Nov 20.

His brother Suraaj Sethi, 32, said the Indian police and the state disaster relief force personnel have agreed to continue with the search for Dr Balraj, who is Novartis Malaysia’s country medical director.

“The local authorities can only continue with the search until Nov 20 as thereafter, the Badrinath Temple and Badrinath town will be closed due to heavy snowfall.

“So far, my brother has not been found yet and my family and I are not sure if we will be staying on although we are Overseas Citizenship of India (OCI) holders and we can stay as long as we want,” he said in a telephone interview Friday (Oct 4).

He said initially, the local authorities had only promised the family 10 days of extensive search as they had limited personnel.

Today is the eleventh day. Dr Balraj, 40, has been missing after trying to rescue his father Suresh Chandra, 67, who was swept away by strong currents at the Alaknanda River.

Suraaj also said that a representative from the Malaysian Embassy in India will be visiting the family on Saturday (Oct 5).

“The Malaysian Embassy has been following up with the local authorities since the beginning and have been getting daily reports on the situation on the ground,” he said.

He also said his parents are hopeful that Dr Balraj will be found as the water level has reduced although the current is still strong.

“We have been praying every day without fail for my brother to be found,” he said.

Although his father was rescued during the incident that happened during a family pilgrimage, Dr Balraj is believed to have been carried away by the strong currents.

Suraaj, an aircraft maintenance technician, had earlier said that he and his brother were about 50m away from where their father was swept away by the strong currents.

He had also said that Dr Balraj is an excellent swimmer and diver.

It was reported by online portals quoting Indian police that Dr Balraj landed in India on Sept 14 with his family for a 10-day pilgrimage.

After visiting three shrines, the family had arrived at the Badrinath Temple to complete their pilgrimage.

“Dr Balraj’s father had gone near the river to perform ‘tarpan’, a ritual during which water is offered to ancestors. When he ventured deep into the river, he was swept away by strong currents,” the Indian police said.

Suresh was subsequently rescued by labourers in the area some 200m from where he was performing the ritual.