Dayanidhi Maran Urge Centre, State To Rescue 50 Tamil Nadu Tourists Stranded in Nepal Floods

Chennai: Lok Sabha MP Dayanidhi Maran on Wednesday sought the urgent intervention of External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar for the rescue and safe repatriation of Indian tourists, including around 50 from Tamil Nadu, who are stranded or missing in the devastating flash floods in Nepal.

A sudden, massive flood swept through two central Nepal districts bordering Tibet, killing four people, causing extensive devastation at settlements along the river and damaging at least a dozen hydropower projects early Wednesday.

The flood surged through the Bhote Koshi river at around 9 am (local time), coming from the Tibet side, affecting Rasuwa and Dhading districts bordering Tibet and Nuwakot district, southwest of Kathmandu, officials said.

In a formal letter, Maran, "writing under the guidance of DMK President M K Stalin", drew attention to the "grave situation" in the neighbouring country.

"Reports indicate that several people have lost their lives and many others, including nearly 50 tourists from Tamil Nadu, remain missing, while rescue operations are being severely hampered by the difficult terrain and continuing flood conditions," Maran stated in the letter.

He highlighted that the natural disaster has caused extensive destruction, washing away roads, bridges, and other critical infrastructure, leading to severe disruptions in communication and transportation networks.

The Member of Parliament representing the Chennai Central constituency noted that the rapidly evolving circumstances have caused "considerable anxiety" among the families of the tourists back in Tamil Nadu.

Maran requested the immediate intervention of the External Affairs Ministry, urging Jaishankar to ensure that every possible measure is taken to locate, rescue, and safeguard the affected individuals. He also appealed for directives to be issued to the Indian Embassy in Nepal and rescue teams to facilitate the stranded Indians' safe passage back home.

PMK President Dr Anbumani Ramadoss expressed shock and concern over reports that over 400 Indians, including 57 from the Kumbakonam area, are stranded due to sudden floods in Nepal's North Rasuwa region. In a statement, he noted that the affected tourists belong to Thanjavur, Tiruvarur, and Mayiladuthurai districts.

"It is reported that 22 of them have been rescued, while there is no information about the others," he wrote on X. He urged the Central and State governments to coordinate with the Nepal government to safely bring back all stranded individuals. He also appealed to the Centre to provide necessary rescue and humanitarian aid to Nepal.

Echoing the sentiment, AMMK leader T T V Dhinakaran took to the social media platform X, stating that the news of the tourists being caught in the floods and landslides is deeply shocking and painful. Noting that the whereabouts and condition of over 37 individuals remain unknown, Dhinakaran urged the Prime Minister's Office and the Tamil Nadu Chief Minister to ensure that officials from the Ministry of External Affairs and the state government work together for their safe return.