More Than 50 Tamils Missing In Nepal Floods
More than 50 pilgrims from Tamil Nadu are feared missing after flash floods devastated parts of Nepal, prompting calls for urgent rescue and repatriation efforts.
At least 50 pilgrims from Tamil Nadu are feared to be among the hundreds of people killed or missing in Nepal due to massive flash flood that swept through the Himalayan nation on Wednesday, when DMK deputy leader in the Lok Sabha, Dayanidhi Maran urged Union External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar to rescue and repatriate the people from the State stranded in the disaster hit zone.
The tragedy, which put the administrations of Tibet and China on their toes to help the victims as it unfolded on the borders of those two nations, raised concerns in India with people whose loved ones had travelled to Nepal were anxious to reach them. Even a travel agent from Tamil Nadu, who had arranged for the travel of some tourists from the State, was among those who left for Nepal immediately.
Reacting to the tragedy, Chief Minister C Joseph Vijay said that he was shocked and saddened to learn that many Indians, including Tamils, had gone missing. He said he had directed senior officials of Tamil Nadu House in New Delhi to take action swiftly to rescue people from Tamil Nadu.
Necessary information was being obtained from the Indian Embassy in Nepal and action was being taken to ensure the safety of the people, he said in a message on X.
Tamil Nadu government has given a toll-free helpline a number – 1800 309 3793 - for those seeking information on the missing or stranded people. Outside India people could give a missed call to +91806900 9900 to seek information or contact +91806900 9901 or reach out to the control room in Tamil Nadu House in New Delhiat 9289516712.
Maran, in a letter to Jaishankar, said the floods had caused extensive destruction and communication and transportation had been severely disrupted as roads, bridges and critical infrastructure had been washed away. Nearly 50 tourists from Tamil Nadu had been reported missed and rescue operations were hampered due to the continued inclement weather and difficulty in traversing the terrain.
Reports said that an earthquake triggered a large landslide, which in turn led to a river sending a torrent of water downstream causing widespread damage to properties and lives. Visuals of the flood showed water gushing through the towns of Nepal and a helicopter pilot witnessed six metre high waves raising from the floods.
Though no actual casualty figures had been announced, Chinese media claimed that Tibet also bore the brunt of the floods. Images of people clambering on the helicopters from the debris left behind by the floods gave a glimpse of the grave situation in Nepal. Prime Minister Narendra Modi and the world community has expressed anguish over the tragedy.
