The flood in Nepal’s Himalayan border region was a horrific sight. More than 300 Indians are among the missing, Nepal’s Foreign Minister Shishir Khanal said. Rescue operations are currently underway in the flood-affected areas. The flood was caused by an avalanche and landslide near the Nepal-Tibet border on Wednesday. This caused huge streams of water, mud and large rocks to flow down the Bhotekoshi and Trishuli rivers. At least 162 people have died in Nepal and three in China in the terrible disaster. Hundreds of people are also missing. The affected areas have been difficult for rescue teams to reach. Roads and bridges have been washed away and communication and power lines have been completely cut off.
37 Tamil Nadu tourists, 77 Isha Foundation members missing
Nepalese authorities say over 130 Indians are missing, including many pilgrims who had gone to Nepal for the Manasarovar yatra. Many are stranded as communication with the affected areas has been cut off. The Indian embassy in Kathmandu has set up a helpline facility for the families of the affected people from several states including Tamil Nadu, Kerala, Rajasthan, Uttar Pradesh and Odisha. Samrat Tours and Travel Agency said at least 59 people are missing on the Kailash Manasarovar yatra. There is currently little information available about the Indian nationals affected by the severe floods in Nepal, which have cut off communication.
Tamil Nadu: State officials say 37 of the 57 tourists from Tamil Nadu are still missing. While 20 others are reported to be safe. The tourists were on their way to a temple in the Himalayas. The Isha Foundation in Coimbatore has claimed that 77 of its members were missing while they were at a shelter home.
Uttar Pradesh: Several people from Uttar Pradesh are feared stranded in Nepal. Farmer leader Rakesh Tikait, along with his associates, had travelled to Nepal by road and are stranded in Pokhara. He released a video saying, “Due to the current situation, we will go to Kathmandu tomorrow and from there to Delhi.” The office of the Relief Commissioner has issued an advisory for the people of flood-hit Uttar Pradesh in Nepal. If anyone from the state is stranded in Nepal or needs help, their families have been asked to immediately contact the state helpline number 1070.
Maharashtra: Officials said on Wednesday night that seven tourists from Maharashtra are stranded in Nepal due to floods. According to the latest information, four of them are safe, while efforts are on to contact the other three tourists. The Chief Minister’s Office said a 24-hour control room has been set up at the Secretariat, which can be contacted on the toll-free helpline number 1070 or +91-9321587143. People can also contact them through email.
Kerala: State officials said that a group of 36 people travelling to Nepal are safe and away from the flash flood-hit areas. To provide emergency assistance to the people of the flood-hit state in Nepal, the Kerala government has started a helpdesk through the government-run NORKA-Roots. NORKA-Roots is an implementing agency of the state government’s Department of Overseas Kerala Affairs. The toll-free number can be reached at 18004253939 or by giving a missed call to +91-8802012345 from abroad. The Chief Minister’s Office has requested families unable to contact their Malayalis travelling to Nepal to call 9447111844 or 9747132147.
Sikkim: The Sikkim government has also launched a helpline to assist family members or relatives who may be stranded or affected by the floods in Nepal. The helpline numbers are 03592-201145, 03592-202461 and 03592-202256.
Odisha: Officials said that the Odisha government has set up a control room in New Delhi and issued helpline numbers to assist people of the state stranded or in distress due to the severe floods in Nepal. The helpline numbers are +91-7428135044, +91-8527580245 and 011-23012807.
Uttarakhand: The Uttarakhand State Disaster Management Authority (USDMA) has issued helpline numbers to help families of those stranded or affected by floods in Nepal. According to officials, people can contact the State Emergency Operations Centre (SEOC) on 0135-2710334, 2710335, 2664314, 2664315, 2664316, and 8218867005, along with toll-free number 1070.
Chhattisgarh: The Chhattisgarh government has issued helpline numbers to help people of the state stranded in Nepal due to flash floods. People of Chhattisgarh can contact the disaster management helpline number 1070 or +91-771-2223471 for assistance and information.
