Manas Dasgupta
NEW DELHI, Aug 27: The death toll in the Nepal’s devastating floods has gone up to 359 even as about 1,300 of people, including at least 288 Indian nationals, from over 30 different countries are said to be still “missing” as the small Himalayan country continued to struggle to clear the debris left behind by the unprecedented flash floods.
The Indian Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) on Thursday said 288 Indian nationals were missing in Nepal. Addressing a press briefing, the MEA spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal said the Indian Embassy in Kathmandu was in contact with the project head to gather further details about those who could nor contacted so far.
“Prime Minister of India spoke to Prime Minister of Nepal, conveyed our deepest condolences, conveyed that India stands in solidarity with the people of Nepal, as also offered all possible assistance. There are 288 Indian nationals who remain uncontactable. These include 73 Indian nationals who are working on the Trishuli One Power Project. Our embassy in Kathmandu is in touch with the project head to get more details about these people,” said Jaiswal.
The MEA spokesperson said the missing Indians comprise five major groups, including workers at the Trishuli-1 power project and pilgrims who had travelled to Nepal for the Kailash Mansarovar Yatra, including about 85 from Tamil Nadu who travelled to Kailash Mansarovar, 32 from West Bengal, 33 from Kerala and 61 others from different states.
The MEA has said the Indian Embassy in Kathmandu is in contact with Nepalese authorities and other relevant agencies to trace the missing Indians and facilitate rescue and relief efforts.
He said 21 Indian nationals have been rescued from the flood-affected areas, all of them from Tamil Nadu. Jaiswal further said around 200 Indian nationals stranded in Tibet have sought assistance following the flash floods on the Chinese side. The Indian Embassy was coordinating with local authorities to assist those affected.
“We have rescued 21 Indian nationals who are from Tamil Nadu. We have received information that a number of Indian nationals who had gone on the Mansarovar Yatra are stranded on the Chinese side. There are approximately 200 Indian nationals there who have sought our assistance for evacuation. Of them, 95 are in Garchan and are currently proceeding to Bilsa to cross over into Nepal. Four are in Geelong city, 13 Zutulpo, and they are en route to the town of Saga. We are in a dynamic situation,” he said.
India is also sending relief supplies to Nepal based on a request from the Nepalese government, he said. “The assistance that we have provided, two aircraft with humanitarian assistance have been sent to Kathmandu. Eight tons of medicine and one ton of food items in total across the two departures by air, India has sent 47.5 tons of emergency supplies aimed at supporting Nepal’s ongoing rescue and relief operations,” said the MEA spokesperson.
The state media reported at least three people died and 558 were missing in Gyirong County, Tibet. “Chinese state broadcaster CCTV reported that 260 of the 558 missing people were foreigners. In addition, nearly 100 Chinese citizens were missing on the Nepal side,” China’s Foreign Ministry said.
Nepal’s tourism board said 179 of those missing were from India. Officials said most were on pilgrimage to Mount Kailash in Tibet, a sacred site for Hindus. The board said 65 of the missing were from the United States, and 51 Malaysians were missing.
“Ukraine’s Foreign Ministry said 55 Ukrainians are missing. The number includes two tourist groups of 47 and seven people, in addition to one Ukrainian woman traveling with a foreign tour group,” the Ministry said.
The board said 35 Australians were missing. The board said 33 of the missing were from Britain. Nepal’s tourism board said 25 of the missing were from Canada.
South Korean government officials said nine citizens working on building a hydropower plant in Nepal were missing. Eight Singaporeans were missing, according to Nepal tourism board.
Nepal’s tourism board said eight tourists from Germany were missing, eight Russians, six South Africans, and six tourists from Latvia were also among the missing. Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi expressed worry about five Japanese nationals whom local media reported were missing.
The Nepal’s tourism board also said, “Five people from New Zealand, four French citizens, three from Belgium, and three visitors from Spain were missing.” The board said two people each from Italy, Kazakhstan, Portugal, Ireland and Netherlands were missing. It said 10 others — one each from Belarus, Finland, Hungary, Israel, Lithuania, Philippines, Bulgaria, Switzerland, Serbia and Sweden — were also missing.