Chennai, August 28: Tamil Nadu Chief Minister C. Joseph Vijay has ordered the dispatch of an IAS-led team to Nepal to coordinate rescue efforts for Tamil Nadu residents stranded in the northern Himalayan region following severe flooding.
The decision came after Chief Minister Vijay chaired an emergency meeting with officials to review the situation of the state’s residents affected by the disaster.
A delegation led by Tamil Nadu’s Home Commissioner Ashish Kumar will depart from Delhi to Kathmandu. They will assess the stranded Tamils and collaborate with the Nepalese government to coordinate rescue operations.
The flooding was triggered by avalanches, causing the Kosi and Trishuli rivers to swell, inundating large areas.
Reports indicate that at least 175 people have died in the northern border district of Rasuwa, Nepal, with around 1,000 individuals, including approximately 300 Indians, reported missing.
This disaster has disrupted transportation and communication systems, complicating efforts to locate pilgrims and tourists.
School Education Minister Rajmohan Arumugam informed the Tamil Nadu Assembly about the plight of the state’s residents trapped in the devastating floods.
According to available information, 103 people from Tamil Nadu had traveled to Nepal, including a group of 57 from Kumbakonam.
The minister stated, “Out of these 57 individuals from Kumbakonam, 21 have been rescued and safely relocated.”
Efforts are ongoing to establish contact with the remaining individuals and determine their whereabouts and status.
The decision to send a team led by senior officials is expected to strengthen coordination among Tamil Nadu authorities, Indian diplomatic officials, and the Nepalese government.
The delegation will gather verified information about the missing or stranded individuals, identify their needs, and assist in their rescue.
Officials are also expected to maintain contact with the families of affected individuals and provide updates on the progress of the rescue operations.
The state government has instructed relevant departments to offer all possible assistance to stranded travelers and arrange for the safe return of rescued residents.
Concerns remain regarding the fate of several missing Indians, as rescue teams work in inaccessible areas amid damaged roads and disrupted communication networks.
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