SRINAGAR: Eighty-four Indian nationals have been rescued so far in Nepal following the devastating flash floods, while contact with around 290 others remains unestablished, the Ministry of External Affairs said.
MEA spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal said the rescued Indians include 63 workers associated with the Trishuli-1 power project and 21 people from Tamil Nadu
He said Indian authorities, in coordination with the Nepalese government, were making efforts to trace those who remained unaccounted for. Communication links in the affected areas have been disrupted, making it difficult to establish contact with some of the stranded Indians.
Jaiswal said the Indian Embassy in Kathmandu was coordinating with authorities and project officials to obtain information about the affected nationals and facilitate their rescue and evacuation.
India has also sent more than 47 tonnes of emergency relief supplies to Nepal to support ongoing rescue and relief operations. Bailey bridges are also being mobilised to assist the relief effort, he said.
The MEA has established a round-the-clock control room, while Indian missions in Kathmandu and Beijing have set up 24-hour helplines to assist affected nationals.
Jaiswal said Prime Minister Narendra Modi had spoken to Nepalese Prime Minister Balendra Shah and conveyed his condolences over the loss of lives, while assuring Nepal of India’s support and humanitarian assistance.
Indians stranded in Tibet
The MEA spokesperson also said efforts were under way to evacuate Indian nationals stranded on the Chinese side following the disaster.
Around 200 Indians have sought assistance for evacuation, Jaiswal said. Of them, 95 were in Darchen and were moving towards Hilsa to cross into Nepal.
Another four Indians were in Geelong City, while 13 were in Zuthulpuk and travelling towards Saga. A further 60 to 70 Indians were also heading towards Saga, he said.
The Indian Embassy in Beijing is coordinating with local authorities to facilitate their safe evacuation, Jaiswal added.
