New Delhi: As many as 288 Indian nationals remain uncontactable following the flash floods in Nepal, while 21 Indians have been rescued so far, the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) said on Thursday.
Addressing a special media briefing on the Nepal disaster in New Delhi, MEA spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal said India was continuing all efforts to reach the missing Indians through the Nepalese authorities.
Jaiswal said Prime Minister Narendra Modi spoke to his Nepalese counterpart Balendra Shah on Wednesday and expressed India’s solidarity with Nepal, offering all possible humanitarian assistance.
Giving details of the Indians who remain out of contact, Jaiswal said the 288 people include 73 Indians working on the Trishuli-1 Power Project. The Indian Embassy in Kathmandu is in touch with the project head for further details, but severely disrupted communication lines in the area have made it difficult to establish contact with those on the ground.
The other major groups include 37 and 49 Indian nationals from Tamil Nadu who travelled for the Kailash Mansarovar Yatra through two separate travel agents, Samrat and Fly Everest Travels.
Another group comprises 32 Indians from West Bengal who travelled with the help of Samrat Travels and are in Timure in Rasuwa district, where the disaster occurred. There are also 61 Indian nationals from different states who travelled through Richa Tours, along with 33 Indians from Kerala.
“These are five major groups who comprise, by and large, the 288 people that we are talking about,” Jaiswal said, adding that the government was making every effort to reach them through Nepalese authorities and would provide further updates.
On the rescue efforts, Jaiswal said 21 Indian nationals had been rescued as of 1 pm on Thursday. All 21 are from Tamil Nadu. Their names will be made available on the Indian Embassy’s X handle, he said.
The Indian Embassy and Ambassador have spoken to the rescued Indians and assured them of all possible assistance. They are expected to reach Kathmandu, after which arrangements will be made for their return home as soon as possible.
The massive floods, which originated in the Tibetan region of China, swept through the transboundary Bhote Koshi River, leaving a trail of destruction in Nepal. According to Nepali authorities, the death toll from the flash floods has crossed 270, while more than 800 people remain uncontactable.
Jaiswal also said several Indians who had travelled for the Kailash Mansarovar Yatra are stranded on the Chinese side. The Indian mission is in contact with local authorities and is working to rescue and evacuate them.
According to the MEA, around 200 Indian nationals in China have sought assistance for evacuation. Of them, 95 are in Darchen and are currently proceeding towards Hilsa to cross into Nepal. Four are in Guilin city, while 30 are in Zutulpuk and are travelling towards the town of Saga. Another 60-70 people are also heading towards Saga.
“Our mission is in touch with local authorities and they are doing their best for their rescue and evacuation,” Jaiswal said, adding that some people may also be missing on the Chinese side and efforts were underway to locate them through local authorities.
Separately, the MEA has received information about persons of Indian origin who remain uncontactable, including a large group associated with the Isha Foundation. The group comprises people of Indian origin, some foreign nationals and possibly some Indian nationals.
Jaiswal stressed that the figures were based on preliminary information and that the situation remained dynamic. He said the MEA would provide further updates as more information became available.
With IANS inputs