5 days ago

India Rescues Tamil Nadu Pilgrims as Nepal Flood Search Continues

India Rescues Tamil Nadu Pilgrims as Nepal Flood Search Continues
Rescued from Nepal floods, 21 TN pilgrims meet EAM at Delhi airport · thehansindia.com

Floods in Nepal stranded many travelers and workers, including Indians.

Twenty-one pilgrims from Tamil Nadu were rescued by the Nepal Army and returned to India.

They traveled from the affected area to Kathmandu and then flew to New Delhi.

Sixty-three Indian workers at a hydropower project were also rescued.

Another 96 Indians crossed from the Chinese side into Nepal and are waiting to be evacuated.

Officials say 320 Indian nationals still cannot be contacted or may be missing.

About 100 people of Indian origin with other nationalities are also uncontactable.

India has sent blankets, tents, medicines and other supplies to Nepal.

India has also offered rescue teams, medical help and temporary bridges, while Nepal is leading rescue operations.

Key facts

Pilgrims returned
21 Tamil Nadu residents rescued from Nepal arrived in New Delhi after reaching Kathmandu.
Other Indians rescued
63 Indian nationals working at the Trishuli One hydropower project were reported rescued.
Indians crossing into Nepal
96 people stranded on the Chinese side safely crossed into Nepal by land and await evacuation.
Uncontactable Indian nationals
The MEA reported 320 Indian nationals as uncontactable or missing; the External Affairs Minister also referred to more than 315 still uncontactable.
Other uncontactable people
About 100 people of Indian origin holding other nationalities may have traveled for the Kailash Mansarovar Yatra and remain uncontactable.
Relief flights
Two aircraft delivered 10 tons and 37.5 tons of relief supplies; a third flight carrying about 12–13 tons was being considered.
Additional support offered
India offered tunnel-rescue and National Disaster Response Force teams, medical assistance, Bailey bridges and technical personnel.
Broader disaster figures
One report said nearly 550 people had died and 977 remained out of contact in Nepal; the MEA figures refer specifically to affected Indian nationals and people of Indian origin.

Quotes

Randhir Jaiswal

Official spokesperson for India’s Ministry of External Affairs

“On the Chinese side, we have 400 Indian nationals. They are safe. They have been in touch with their family... Our embassy has been in touch with several of them... Many of their family members also contacted us through the helpline numbers that our Embassy is running in Beijing... Our embassy is in touch with local authorities in China, and they are working out as to how these people who are there can be evacuated.”
republicworld.com
“In addition to these 21 Indian nationals, yesterday we gave you an update about 63 Indian nationals who are working at the Trishuli One hydropower project. They were also rescued yesterday. In addition to these 21 and 63, we have learned that 96 Indian nationals who were stranded on the Chinese side have safely crossed into Nepal by land. Efforts are underway to have them evacuated.”
republicworld.com deccanchronicle.com

Sources

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