The Tamil Nadu government is actively engaged in monitoring the situation regarding pilgrims from the state who are currently stranded in Nepal following devastating flash floods. Authorities are particularly focused on locating a group of 49 individuals who embarked on a pilgrimage to the region, departing from Chennai. As per the latest updates, 21 Indian nationals from Tamil Nadu have been rescued.

A total of 103 tourists from Tamil Nadu had travelled to Nepal for the Kailash Yatra prior to the flooding, which was attributed to the Bhote Koshi River overflowing in the Rasuwa district. Chief Minister C. Joseph Vijay recently convened a consultation meeting at the Secretariat in Chennai to discuss ongoing rescue operations, according to the Tamil Nadu Department of Information and Public Relations.

Rescue Operations Underway Amid Communication Disruptions

Reports indicate that as many as 300 Indian nationals are currently uncontactable following the floods, which struck the area in the early morning hours of August 26. Fortunately, some rescue operations have been successfully executed, with teams saving 33 workers involved in the Trishuli-I hydropower project alongside the aforementioned 21 pilgrims from Tamil Nadu.

External Affairs Spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal confirmed that two groups from Tamil Nadu, consisting of 37 and 49 individuals respectively, opted for the Kailash Mansarovar Yatra facilitated by Samrat and Fly Everest Travels. The Tamil Nadu government noted that the pilgrims came in two separate groups; one group included 54 persons from Tamil Nadu and 3 from Puducherry, summing up to a total of 57.

In light of the crisis, emergency contact numbers have been provided for families seeking information on the missing individuals. The Tamil Nadu government is collaborating closely with the Ministry of External Affairs, the Indian Embassy in Nepal, officials from the Tamil Nadu House in New Delhi, and various travel agencies to expedite rescue operations.

Families of Missing Pilgrims Seek Assistance

Families of the missing pilgrims have expressed their distress and are appealing to officials for assistance in locating their loved ones. The group of 49 had traveled with Mahadev Kailash Tourist Agency, based in Chromepet, Chennai. According to the family of Sathya Narayanan, the agency’s owner who is leading the pilgrimage, the team left Chennai on August 14 and successfully arrived in Kathmandu. They reached the Chinese immigration facility on August 26 at approximately 7:30 am, after which communication was lost.

After contacting a local travel agent at around 8:45 am to discuss further plans, the group faced sudden calamity when flash floods hit the area at around 9 am on August 26. Sathya Narayanan’s father, Maravel Nagappan, confirmed that they have reached out to the Indian Embassy for updates on their safety and that Tamil Nadu Police officials have visited their home to gather details about the situation.

Additional Reports of Missing Individuals

In another distressing case, Kandimalla Suhasini, a resident of LB Nagar, Hyderabad, has been reported missing following the flooding. Her brother expressed concern over their inability to contact her and has urged authorities for help in finding her.

Similarly, in West Bengal’s Diamond Harbour, a teacher named Keya Pramanik, who travelled to Nepal for the pilgrimage, has also been reported missing. Her family continues to communicate with the travel agency for assistance in tracing her whereabouts.

In response to the ongoing crisis, External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar convened a high-level meeting in New Delhi to assess the humanitarian situation resulting from the floods. The meeting aimed to prioritise diplomatic and administrative efforts to ensure the safety of Indian nationals caught in the disaster.

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