Devastating flash floods in Nepal have left many pilgrims from Tamil Nadu and Puducherry unaccounted for after their Mount Kailash pilgrimage
Travel operator Syed Sadiq said, “Around 9 am, I received a call from Ragunathan. A control room has been set up by the administration with the contact number 1056 to coordinate the communication. Vijay announced emergency telephone numbers so that Tamils stranded in Nepal who need help, or their relatives in Tamil Nadu, can get in touch.
He said that they heard a loud sound like an explosion and the ground shook. He said only one bus managed to reach safety and saw another bus rolling down the gorge. Syed Sadiq said the survivors attempted to learn the fate of the other two buses. Speaking to TOI, she said, “We are trying to learn if the others are safe and are speaking to their family members. He said, “I have ordered the senior govt officials of the Tamil Nadu House in New Delhi to take all necessary measures to quickly rescue those from Tamil Nadu who are missing in this disaster and to provide the required assistance to the affected people. “Through the Indian ministry of external affairs and the Indian embassy in Nepal, necessary steps are being taken swiftly to obtain information about people from Tamil Nadu and to ensure their safety,” he added.
However, they were stopped from going back by accompanying personnel. Kumbakonam tahsildar V Pongodi conducted an inquiry on behalf of Thanjavur district administration. Tamil Nadu chief minister C Joseph Vijay expressed shock and dismay at the news reports.