Chennai, 27 August (H.S.):

The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) on Thursday confirmed that 21 pilgrims from Tamil Nadu, who had travelled to Nepal for the Kailash Mansarovar Yatra, were rescued after flash floods devastated three districts of the Himalayan nation.

MEA spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal announced the rescue in a social media post and released the names of the 21 Indian nationals. The confirmation came hours after the Tamil Nadu government informed the Assembly that efforts were under way to rescue more than 100 people from the State, including former Madras High Court judge Justice Sivagnanam.

Responding to a special calling attention motion, School Education and Information Minister Rajmohan said 20 members of a 57-member tour group had earlier reached safety. The pilgrims had travelled under a tour organised by Kumbakonam-based Super Yatra in association with Nepal-based Samrat Tours and Travels.

The group comprised pilgrims from Cuddalore, Krishnagiri, Thanjavur, Dharmapuri, Tiruchi, Tiruvannamalai, Tiruvarur, Namakkal, Mayiladuthurai and Chennai, besides three people from Puducherry.

According to the Minister, the rescued pilgrims were travelling in three vehicles when they were caught in the floods. They abandoned their belongings and managed to reach an Armed Police camp. Arrangements were subsequently initiated to take them to Kathmandu.

Rajmohan said rescue operations involving 34 other pilgrims had faced delays because of the severe disruption caused by the floods. The State government had contacted the Indian Embassy in Kathmandu and was closely monitoring developments.

Authorities were also trying to locate and rescue another group of 49 people who had travelled from Chennai to Nepal. The Tamil Nadu government has activated toll-free helplines to assist stranded pilgrims and their families. Officials said the control room had received 937 calls seeking information and assistance as rescue and evacuation operations continued.

Further details about their return to India were awaited on Thursday evening.

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Hindusthan Samachar / Arun Lakshman