80 Maharashtra Tourists Stuck In Flood-Hit Nepal, 4 Are Safe : Govt
57 persons went through a tour agency, while the remaining were travelling independently, according to a report issued by the State Emergency Operations Centre (SEOC)
Mumbai: Nearly 80 tourists from Maharashtra are estimated to be stranded in flood-hit Nepal, with the figure likely to be revised as information was still being collected, officials said on Thursday.
Of these, 57 persons went through a tour agency, while the remaining were travelling independently, according to a report issued by the State Emergency Operations Centre (SEOC) in the morning.
Four citizens have so far been reported safe.
Flash floods on Wednesday wreaked havoc across three districts in Nepal, leaving 165 dead and many, including more than 300 Indian tourists, missing in one of the Himalayan country's worst disasters in recent years.
The SEOC said it was in touch with Richa Tours Pvt Ltd, which had organised the travel of 57 persons. It was also coordinating with the Union Home Ministry's Integrated Control Room-Emergency Response in New Delhi for further information.
The state authorities were also coordinating with the travel agency involved in organising the trip.
The SEOC and district administrations were collecting. In some cases, duplication of names was found, and those were being verified to arrive at the final figure, the officials said.
The state Disaster Management Department appealed to people to share information about their relatives or other persons stranded in Nepal through its helpline numbers 9321587143, 1070 and 022-22027990. The department has also set up a helpline desk and urged people to provide details to facilitate coordination and assistance.
The SEOC has developed a web-based link to collect information on stranded people and circulated it through the media, while district collectors have been asked to gather and verify details.
The Chief Minister's Office (CMO) on Wednesday said a 24-hour control room has been set up at the Mantralaya and appealed to Maharashtra residents requiring any assistance to contact it through the helpline numbers (as specified by the disaster management department). Citizens can also email controlroom@maharashtra.gov.in.
Those from Maharashtra who are stranded in Nepal have also been asked to upload their details through the designated online link so that assistance can be provided.
