As the first batch of 21 Indian tourists rescued from the flash-flood affected area of Nepal has arrived in Delhi today, the government has informed that it would make all arrangements for safer return of Indians stranded in Nepal in coming days. All 21 Indians arrived by IndiGo flight from Kathmandu today are natives of Tamil Nadu.
Updating the Government of India’s efforts in identifying and rescuing Indians stranded in affected areas in Nepal, the External Affairs Ministry spokesperson said that 96 Indian nationals evacuated from the Chinese side yesterday have been safely brought to the Nepal side with the help of the local authorities today. The spokesperson also informed that nearly 400 Indian nationals are safe on the China side and are in touch with their families in India. The modalities of evacuation of these people are being worked out by the Indian embassies in Beijing and Kathmandu, he said.
However, around 320 Indian nationals are still missing or non-contactable, the MEA spokesperson said. As far as rescue and humanitarian assistance to Nepal was concerned, the spokesperson said that the two aircraft, carrying 10 tonnes and 37.5 tonnes, respectively, of relief materials, like tents, food, potable gensets, solar lamps, etc. have been sent to Nepal in last two days, and a third aircraft was expected to leave today carrying about 12 tonnes of relief materials. Besides these, tunnel rescue teams, medical teams, etc from India have already reached Nepal, the official said.
As per latest reports, around 538 lives have been confirmed lost in one of the most horrific flash floods in the history of Nepal. Thousands are still missing as bodies are carried away to the downstream areas of rivers, as the nation is finding it hard to cope with the recovered bodies in its health centres with scant facilities.