New Delhi: The sudden flash flood in the central and border areas of Nepal has caused huge devastation. More than 130 Indian citizens and devotees are reported missing due to this disaster, while hundreds of people are stranded at various inaccessible places. The most affected areas include those devotees on Kailash Mansarovar Yatra who were preparing to cross the Tibetan border via Nepal.
Contact lost in Rasuwagadhi
The sudden increase in the water level of Bhotekoshi river in Rasuwagadhi and its surrounding areas located on the Nepal-Tibet border has devastated the infrastructure. At least 59 Indian citizens are said to be stranded or missing directly on the route of Kailash Mansarovar Yatra.
Due to complete shutdown of telephone and internet networks, relief teams are facing huge difficulties in contacting people.
Crisis looms at immigration center
The area of the Immigration Center where 77 members of Isha Foundation, Coimbatore are present, has been cut off due to water and debris. Although 495 devotees of the organization have returned safely, but the exact information about the border office staff and this group could not be obtained. Similarly, a group of 32 tourists who left from Kolkata on August 21 also found themselves in dire straits after reaching the Rasuwagadhi immigration office on Wednesday morning.
Panic in the states, helpline on 24-hour alert
Out of the group of 57 tourists from Tamil Nadu, contact has been established so far with only 20 people, while efforts are on to trace the 37 pilgrims. Of the seven stranded tourists from Maharashtra, four from Mumbai and Pune have been found safe, while the search for three others is going on.
Considering the seriousness of the disaster, many states including the Indian Embassy in Kathmandu have shown readiness. Toll free number 1070 has been issued for information and help of Uttar Pradesh residents. A special 24-hour control room has been set up in the ministry in Maharashtra. Helpdesk has been started in Kerala through Norca-Roots. 36 tourists from the state have been reported to be at safe places. West Bengal, Sikkim, Odisha, Rajasthan and Uttarakhand have activated state level helpline numbers to provide relief to their respective citizens.
Roads closed in Pokhara, resort to flights
Due to floods, many main highways and bridges have been washed away, making movement by road impossible. Farmer leader Rakesh Tikait was also stuck in Pokhara, Nepal along with his colleagues. Due to complete blockage of roads, they are leaving their vehicles there and preparing to return to Kathmandu and then Delhi by flight. In view of the rising water level of rivers coming from Nepal, high alert has also been issued in the border areas of Uttar Pradesh and Bihar.