Twenty-one Indians who went missing after devastating flash floods in Nepal have been rescued, the Indian government said on Thursday. However, 288 Indian nationals are still out of contact as rescue and search operations continue in the flood-hit Himalayan region.
The floods have killed 289 people in Nepal, while many others remain missing across Nepal and Tibet.
21 Indians from Tamil Nadu rescued
Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal said all 21 Indians rescued so far are from Tamil Nadu and are being brought back to India.
According to the MEA, the 288 Indians who remain out of contact include 73 people working at a power project in Trishuli, one of the areas affected by the floods.
Several Indians are also stranded on the Chinese side of the border in Tibet.
More than 200 Indians have sought evacuation assistance. Around 95 are currently in Darchen and are moving towards Hilsa to enter Nepal. Four are in Jilong City, while 30 are in Zutulphuk and travelling towards Saga. Another 60 to 70 people are travelling to other locations.
What caused the devastating floods?
The flash floods hit Nepal and parts of Tibet on Wednesday after a possible avalanche near a Himalayan river sent a huge amount of water and debris downstream.
The floods affected Nepal’s Rasuwa, Dhading and Nuwakot districts. An avalanche reportedly blocked the Lhende tributary of the Bhote Koshi river.
The floodwaters first hit Timure near Rasuwagadhi on the Nepal-Tibet border before moving further downstream.
Roads, bridges, homes and hydropower projects were damaged or washed away.
Nearly 1,500 people reported missing
Nepal Foreign Minister Shishir Khanal said authorities were still trying to understand the full scale of the disaster.
Nearly 1,500 people, including at least 800 foreigners, were reported missing across Nepal and Tibet.
In Tibet’s Gyirong county, 558 people were reported missing, including 260 foreign nationals. Chinese officials also reported deaths and missing people following a mudslide at Gyirong Port near the Nepal border.
Nepal Police said the death toll could rise as search teams continue operations.
India sends relief material to Nepal
India has increased humanitarian assistance to Nepal following the disaster.
External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar said a second flight carrying 37.5 tonnes of relief material, medicines and food packets left for Nepal on Thursday.
India had sent its first military relief flight on Wednesday night. An Indian Air Force C-130J aircraft carried around 10 tonnes of emergency supplies, including temporary shelters, blankets, hygiene kits, solar lamps and essential medicines.
More than 5,000 army and police personnel are involved in rescue operations in the affected areas. Nepal Army spokesperson Raja Ram Basnet said 125 people, including 20 foreigners, were rescued on Thursday.
Emergency helplines issued for Indians
The Indian Embassy in Kathmandu has issued emergency contact numbers for Indian nationals affected by the floods. People can contact +977 985 131 6807 or +977 970 910 7500.
The Indian Embassy in Beijing has also issued the WhatsApp helpline number 0086 185 1428 4905.
Meanwhile, Bihar has been placed on high alert because it shares a border with Nepal. Authorities are closely monitoring river levels and the flood situation.
