288 Indians are missing since the floods in Nepal. Rescue operations are underway to locate them. Ministry of External Affairs spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal said on Thursday (August 27) that 21 Indians have been rescued so far.
He said, “We have received information that several Indians on the Kailash Mansarovar Yatra are still stranded on the Chinese side. Approximately 200 Indian citizens have sought help. Our mission in China is working with the local authorities to rescue them. Members of the Isha Foundation are also stranded.”
Randhir Jaiswal said that the first group consisted of 73 people working on the Trishuli-1 power project. Two separate groups of 37 and 49 citizens from Tamil Nadu went on the Kailash Mansarovar Yatra through Samrat and Fly Everest Travels. A group of 32 Indian citizens from West Bengal went on the pilgrimage to Timure in Rasua district with the help of Samrat Travels. Next, there is a group of 61 Indian citizens from various states, and then a group of 33 Indian citizens from Kerala. These are five large groups, totaling 288 people.
The spokesperson said that India has sent relief materials to Nepal in two aircraft. 10 tons of relief materials have been sent. The second aircraft departed this morning with 37.5 tons of relief materials, including 8 tons of medicine. India is sending relief materials at Nepal’s request.
Randhir Jaiswal said that we are also preparing Bailey bridges to assist in rescue and relief operations. We have set up a control room in the Ministry of External Affairs, which will operate 24 hours a day. Details of the helpline and control room telephone numbers are being uploaded on our X handle and you will receive them soon.
He added that our embassies in both Kathmandu and Beijing have also established 24/7 helplines. We are also in touch with the state governments from where people traveled for the Kailash Mansarovar Yatra and are coordinating with them through the Ministry of Home Affairs.
When asked if India would also send a field hospital, Randhir Jaiswal said that we will proceed according to any requests for assistance. As I mentioned, our Prime Minister spoke with the Prime Minister of Nepal yesterday and conveyed that we are ready to provide whatever assistance is needed. India stands shoulder to shoulder with Nepal in this difficult time.
So far, 270 people have been confirmed dead in the Nepal floods, while more than 1,000 remain missing. Relief and rescue operations are underway on a war footing.