Kanchanpur, Sept. 6 -- For years, Sittu Rana knew what to expect from her husband's phone.

Rikesh Rana would call her about three times a day from the hydropower project where he worked in northern Nepal. The calls were part of the rhythm of family life: a few minutes to ask about home, their two-year-old daughter and the ordinary business of getting through the day.

Then, on August 26, the calls stopped.

Eleven days later, Sittu still keeps her phone close.

She waits for the screen to light up and for the familiar ring to break the silence. At first, every ring brought a rush of hope. Now, after more than a week without any word, even that hope has begun to fade.

Sometimes she cries. Sometimes she holds her daughter and tries to com...