6 days ago
Nepal Floods Leave Indians Uncontactable as Rescue Efforts Continue
Flash floods badly affected parts of Nepal, especially the Rasuwa area.
Many Indian workers and travelers could not be contacted because communication lines were damaged.
The first government update said 288 Indians were uncontactable and 21 had been rescued.
A later update changed the figures to 290 uncontactable and 84 rescued.
The rescued people included power-project workers and Tamil Nadu pilgrims.
Being uncontactable does not automatically mean that someone is hurt or dead.
About 200 Indian pilgrims were also stranded on the Chinese side and asked India for help.
India is working with Nepal and China to find people, move them to safety and provide emergency supplies.
MEA initially reported 288 Indian nationals uncontactable and 21 rescued after Nepal’s flash floods.
A later 8 p.m. update said 84 Indians had been rescued and 290 remained uncontactable.
The rescued included 63 Trishuli-I project workers and 21 Tamil Nadu Kailash Mansarovar pilgrims.
About 200 Indian pilgrims stranded on China’s side sought India’s help with evacuation.
India sent 47.5 tonnes of relief supplies to Nepal and established emergency control rooms and helplines.
- Who
- The Indian Ministry of External Affairs, Indian nationals, Nepalese authorities, Indian diplomatic missions and local Chinese authorities are involved.
- What
- Flash floods left Indian nationals uncontactable in Nepal, while others were rescued and about 200 pilgrims sought evacuation assistance from China.
- Where
- The disaster affected Nepal, including Rasuwa district and the Trishuli-I project area; some Indian pilgrims were stranded on China’s side of the Tibet-Nepal border.
- When
- The floods struck on Wednesday; Indian figures changed through Thursday, including a later update issued at 8 p.m.
- Why
- Flooding disrupted communications and stranded people, making it difficult to establish their whereabouts and coordinate evacuations.
Official Updates
Uncertainty and Changing Reports
Meaning of “uncontactable”
Official Updates
The MEA said the designation reflects the inability to establish communication and does not necessarily mean people are missing, injured or dead.
Uncertainty and Changing Reports
Several reports described the people as missing or unaccounted for because their status could not be confirmed after the floods.
Changing Indian figures
Official Updates
The later report of 84 rescued indicated that authorities had established contact with additional Indians, while rescue efforts continued.
Uncertainty and Changing Reports
Earlier reports gave figures of 288 uncontactable and 21 rescued, while the later update listed 290 uncontactable and 84 rescued, showing that the numbers were preliminary and changing.
Nepal’s casualty count
Official Updates
The MEA said the situation was dynamic and did not provide a confirmed figure for Indian deaths.
Uncertainty and Changing Reports
Reports citing Nepali authorities gave differing national figures, ranging from 162 or 177 deaths to more than 270, with a later report saying 359 bodies had been recovered.
Key facts
- Initial Indian figures
- The MEA reported 288 Indian nationals uncontactable and 21 rescued.
- Later Indian figures
- An 8 p.m. update reported 290 Indians uncontactable and 84 rescued.
- Rescued groups
- The later update identified 63 Trishuli-I project workers and 21 Tamil Nadu Kailash Mansarovar pilgrims among those rescued.
- Groups initially listed as uncontactable
- The groups included 73 Trishuli-I workers, Tamil Nadu groups of 37 and 49, a West Bengal group of 32, a group of 61 from different states and a Kerala group of 33.
- Indians seeking evacuation from China
- Approximately 200 Indian Kailash Mansarovar pilgrims sought India’s assistance on the Chinese side.
- Indian relief assistance
- India sent two aircraft carrying 47.5 tonnes of emergency supplies, including medicines, food and supply kits.
- Nepal situation
- Reports cited differing figures, including 177, 162 and more than 270 deaths, while a later update said 359 bodies had been recovered.
- Emergency response
- The MEA established a 24/7 control room, and Indian missions in Kathmandu and Beijing coordinated assistance and evacuation efforts.
Quotes
Ministry of External Affairs
India’s Ministry of External Affairs
“The assistance that we have provided, two aircraft with humanitarian assistance have been sent to Kathmandu... Eight tons of medicine and one ton of food items in total across the two departures by air, India has sent 47.5 tons of emergency supplies aimed at supporting Nepal's ongoing rescue and relief operations.”
firstpost.com
“A helping hand from India. The second consignment of 37.5 tonnes of HADR material, medicines and food packets has been handed over to Mr. Mahabir Pun, Minister for Science, Technology and Innovation, to support Nepal’s flood relief and rescue efforts.”
thehansindia.com
Sources
288 Indians Missing After Nepal Floods, 21 Rescued, Says Centre
84 Indian nationals rescued in Nepal floods
At least 288 Indians missing after Nepal floods, no death toll available yet, foreign ministry says
Nepal floods: 288 Indians remain missing
288 Indian nationals still uncontactable, 21 rescued after Nepal flash floods: MEA
Nepal Floods: 288 Indians uncontactable, 200 stranded on China side, says MEA
288 Indians missing in Nepal, at least 200 stranded in China in aftermath of flash floods
285 Indian nationals still uncontactable, 54 rescued after Nepal flash floods: MEA (Ld)
288 Indians Missing In Devastating Nepal Floods, 21 Rescued
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