Sashin Maharaj and Linda Govender.

THE desperate search for missing South African pilgrim Terricia Govender has shifted towards the Chinese side of the Nepal-Tibet border.

Her family and friends are hoping that the thousands of items recovered after devastating flash floods could provide vital clues to her whereabouts.

Terricia’s friend, Sashin Maharaj, who is in Nepal, said the family had exhausted every avenue available to them in their efforts to establish what had happened to her.

Maharaj said Narend Singh, Deputy Minister of Forestry, Fisheries and the Environment, had been instrumental in helping them navigate the complicated search and diplomatic channels.