Death toll crosses 160 in Nepal deluge; Over 130 Indians missing, states scramble to trace stranded citizens

More than 130 Indians, including scores of pilgrims on the Kailash Mansarovar Yatra, were missing and several others stranded in Nepal after flash floods swept through central districts, cutting off roads and communication links and leaving authorities scrambling to trace those caught in the disaster.

The Indian Embassy in Kathmandu and several states have activated helplines and control rooms to assist affected Indians and their families as communication remained disrupted in several parts of the neighbouring country.

At least 59 of the missing Indians were pilgrims undertaking the Kailash Mansarovar Yatra, according to travel agency Samrat Tours and Travel. However, details of the affected Indian nationals remained sparse.

Tamil Nadu :

The whereabouts of 37 of the 57 tourists from Tamil Nadu were yet to be ascertained, while 20 had been accounted for, state officials said. The tourists were reportedly travelling to a temple in the Himalayas.

The Isha Foundation in Coimbatore said 77 of its members, who were at an immigration centre in Nepal, were missing.

"There has been no official information on the whereabouts of any of the people who were at the immigration office," Isha Foundation founder Sadhguru said, adding that 495 members had returned safely.

The Nepal government later said the entire staff at the immigration centre was out of contact.

Nepal flash floods: At least 157 killed; hundreds more, including Indians, missing

West Bengal:

A 32-member group from Kolkata undertaking the Kailash Mansarovar Yatra was among those untraceable after the flash floods, an official said.

The group, comprising 30 tourists and two tour managers, left Kolkata on August 21 and reached Nepal the following day. It arrived at Rasuwagadhi on Wednesday morning to cross into Tibet and was at the immigration office around 8.30 am when the flash flood struck the area along the Nepal-Tibet border.

"There has been no communication with any of the 32 members since the flash flood struck the area," the official told PTI.

Residents of Chandannagar in Hooghly and Barasat in North 24 Parganas were also believed to be among those stranded or missing in Nepal.

The West Bengal government has opened helplines at the state police headquarters in Kolkata to assist families seeking information about relatives affected by the floods. They can contact 033-24793311 or 9147890181.

Uttar Pradesh:

Several people from Uttar Pradesh were believed to be stranded in Nepal. Farmer leader Rakesh Tikait, who had travelled to Nepal by road with his associates, was stuck in Pokhara.

"We will reach Kathmandu tomorrow by flight and from there by flight to Delhi because of this situation and leave behind our vehicles as it won't be possible to travel by road," the Bharatiya Kisan Union leader said in a video message.

The Uttar Pradesh Relief Commissioner's Office issued an advisory urging residents whose relatives were stranded in Nepal or required assistance to contact the state helpline at 1070.

Maharashtra:

Seven tourists from Maharashtra were stranded in Nepal amid the flash floods, officials said. Four of them were later contacted and reported safe, while efforts were underway to establish contact with the remaining three.

An official told PTI that state disaster management authorities had established communication with four tourists, including two each from Mumbai and Pune.

The authorities were also preparing a list of people from Maharashtra who could be stranded in Nepal due to the floods.

The Chief Minister's Office said a 24-hour control room had been set up at Mantralaya. It can be reached on toll-free helpline 1070 or +91-9321587143. Citizens can also email controlroom@maharashtra.gov.in .

32 from Kolkata missing after flash flood in Nepal

Kerala :

A team of 36 people touring Nepal was safe and away from areas affected by the flash floods, state officials said.

Kerala has opened a helpdesk through NORKA-Roots to provide emergency assistance to people from the state affected by the floods. The agency is the field arm of the Department of Non-Resident Keralites Affairs.

People seeking assistance can contact the NORKA Global Contact Centre at 18004253939 (toll-free) or give a missed call from abroad at +91-8802012345.

The Chief Minister's Office urged families unable to contact Malayalis travelling in Nepal to inform it at 9447111844 or 9747132147.

Sikkim:

The Sikkim government has set up a helpline to assist residents whose family members or relatives may be stranded or affected by the flash floods in Nepal.

The Sikkim State Disaster Management Authority said people with family members or relatives in Nepal affected by the floods could contact 03592-201145, 03592-202461 or 03592-202256 with relevant details.

The Indian Embassy in Kathmandu also issued emergency numbers for assistance and information concerning Indian nationals affected by the floods.

In a post on X, the embassy said people could contact +977 985 131 6807 or +977 970 910 7500.

Odisha:

The Odisha government has set up a control room in New Delhi and issued helpline numbers to assist people from the state who may be stranded or in distress due to the floods in Nepal.

The helpline numbers are +91-7428135044, +91-8527580245 and 011-23012807, according to a government statement.

Pritish Panda, Officer on Special Duty at the Directorate of Odisha Paribar, has been appointed the nodal officer for the task.

"At present, we don't have any information about any person from the state who went missing," a government official said.

Uttarakhand:

The Uttarakhand State Disaster Management Authority has released helpline numbers to assist residents whose family members may be stranded or affected by the floods in Nepal.

Apart from the State Emergency Operations Centre numbers 0135-2710334, 2710335, 2664314, 2664315, 2664316 and 8218867005, people can also contact the toll-free number 1070.

Officials said people from the state stranded in Nepal, or those wishing to share information about any individual, could contact the helplines.

Chhattisgarh:

The Chhattisgarh government has issued helpline numbers to assist citizens from the state who may be stranded in Nepal due to the flash floods.

Residents can contact the disaster management helpline at 1070 or +91-771-2223471 for assistance and information, officials said.