Lokesh Steps Up Efforts To Trace 3 AP Residents Missing In Nepal
Lokesh has directed officials to coordinate closely with agencies in India, Nepal and China to establish the whereabouts of the three missing persons and ensure the safe return of those stranded.
VIJAYAWADA: Minister Nara Lokesh is personally coordinating efforts to trace three Andhra Pradesh residents missing in flood-hit Nepal and facilitate the safe evacuation of four others who have been traced but remain stranded.
Seven AP residents have so far been identified as missing or stranded. Four, including Bhaskar Shastri and three others from Adoni and Kurnool, have been confirmed safe but remain stranded due to disruptions caused by the floods. They were part of a 156-member group travelling to Kailash Mansarovar.
The three still unaccounted for are Bala Subramanyam of Kuppam, Sasi Kumar, who was travelling with Isha Foundation Group S3 and was last seen at the Gyrong Embassy in China, and Rajyalakshmi Nimmagadda, another member of the same group.
Lokesh has directed officials to coordinate closely with agencies in India, Nepal and China to establish the whereabouts of the three missing persons and ensure the safe return of those stranded.
AP Bhavan in New Delhi is working round-the-clock with the Indian, Chinese and Nepalese embassies, Gyrong Immigration Centre, Isha Foundation, Real Time Governance Society (RTGS) Centre and the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) to track the affected persons and verify information about their safety and movements.
The flood situation remains fluid in Syapru Besi, BC and Timure, key transit and acclimatisation points for Kailash Mansarovar pilgrims. Initial reports suggest that the flooding may have been triggered by an ice-rock avalanche in the Lhende River rather than heavy rainfall.
The Nepal Army, Nepal Police and paramilitary forces are involved in rescue operations in the affected areas.
Officials have advised stranded persons to remain in safe locations and maintain contact with their respective embassies. Families seeking information about missing persons can contact Nepal Tourism Police on 1144 or the concerned embassy. They can also approach AP Bhavan with travel details and the person’s last known location.
AP Bhavan has set up an emergency control room in New Delhi to assist families and coordinate information on the missing and stranded AP residents.
