More than 50 pilgrims from Tamil Nadu who had travelled to Nepal are stranded following a flash flood in the Bhote Koshi River upstream that killed at least nine people in Nepal and Tibet, washed away villages and damaged infrastructure on Wednesday, officials said.
The stranded group comprises pilgrims from Thanjavur, Kumbakonam and Mayiladuthurai districts. They were travelling in three cars when the flash flood occurred around 8am, officials said.
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Deep Dive
What should Tamil Nadu pilgrims do if they are stranded in Nepal after the flash floods?
Why did the flash floods occur in Nepal and how did they affect pilgrims?
How is the Tamil Nadu government responding to the situation of stranded pilgrims in Nepal?
A travel agent who organised the trip from Kumbakonam said some of the pilgrims managed to take refuge at an Armed Police Force outpost in Timure, about 150 km north of Kathmandu. However, he was unable to contact them due to a lack of mobile connectivity following the incident.
Tamil Nadu government officials are currently engaged in coordinated efforts to rescue the stranded pilgrims, officials said.
A round-the-clock toll free helpline was released by the Tamil Nadu government to assist the stranded people. “Within India 1800 309 3793, overseas (missed call) +91 80 6900 9900. They can also contact +91 80 6900 9901”, an official release said.
{{/usCountry}}A round-the-clock toll free helpline was released by the Tamil Nadu government to assist the stranded people. “Within India 1800 309 3793, overseas (missed call) +91 80 6900 9900. They can also contact +91 80 6900 9901”, an official release said.
{{/usCountry}}Those require assistance can also contact Tamil Nadu House, Delhi control room 92895 16712, it said.
Major casualties were feared in Nepal and Tibet. Videos showed crumbling homes in the floodwaters and floating cars as authorities urged people on the banks of the Bhote Koshi River to move to higher ground.
The Bhote Koshi River is a headwater tributary of the Kosi River system, which enters northern Bihar in Supaul after flowing through Nepal. Authorities in Bihar feared a sudden surge in water flow into the Gandak River.
The official said that teams of the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) were being mobilised to handle any emergency. In Bihar, officials have identified areas such as Jhandu Tola, Bin Toli, Chakdahwa and Kailashnagar as vulnerable areas.
Tamil Nadu chief minister C Joseph Vijay said in a statement that he has instructed senior officials of the Tamil Nadu government at the Tamil Nadu House in Delhi to take all the necessary measures to swiftly rescue those hailing from Tamil Nadu missing in this disaster and to provide all required assistance to those affected.
Steps are being expedited to gather information about the people from Tamil Nadu through the ministry of external affairs of India and the Indian Embassy in Nepal ensuring their safety, he said
“Emergency telephone numbers have been announced to enable Tamils stranded in Nepal or their relatives in Tamil Nadu to reach out if they seek help” he added.