New Delhi, 27 August (H.S.):

At least 288 Indian nationals present in Nepal’s Tibet-bordering Rasuwa district have lost contact following the devastating disaster that struck the region on Wednesday. Meanwhile, Indian missions in Kathmandu and Beijing are working actively to facilitate the safe evacuation of around 200 Indians stranded inside Chinese territory after undertaking the Kailash Mansarovar pilgrimage.

Ministry of External Affairs spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal shared the information at a special press briefing convened to provide an update on India’s relief and rescue efforts in the wake of the disaster in Nepal.

Giving details of those who remain unaccounted for, the spokesperson said there are currently five major groups with whom contact has not been established, collectively comprising 288 Indian nationals. These include 73 Indians working at the Trishuli 1 Power Project, as well as tourists who had travelled to Nepal in groups from different parts of India. In addition, 21 Indian nationals had been successfully evacuated by 1 p.m. on Thursday.

The Ministry of External Affairs spokesperson said that the Indian Embassy in Kathmandu is in touch with the head of the Trishuli 1 Power Project to obtain further information about the 73 Indian workers. Communication networks in the affected area have been completely disrupted, making it extremely difficult to establish contact with people on the ground.

Explaining the composition of the five major groups, Jaiswal said two separate groups of 37 and 49 Indian nationals from Tamil Nadu had travelled on the Kailash Mansarovar pilgrimage through two different travel agents, Samrat and Fly Everest Travels.

Another group comprising 32 Indian nationals from West Bengal had reached Timure in Rasuwa district, the area where the disaster occurred, with the assistance of Samrat Travels.

In addition, a group of 61 Indian nationals from different states was travelling through Richa Tours. A separate group of 33 Indian nationals from Kerala has also remained out of contact.

“These are primarily the five major groups, which together account for approximately 288 people with whom contact could not be established,” the spokesperson said.

Jaiswal said the Indian authorities were making every possible effort to reach their nationals through the Nepalese authorities. “We will receive further updates on this matter and will try to provide you with the latest information as soon as possible,” he said.

Regarding the 21 Indians rescued so far, the spokesperson said they were all from Tamil Nadu and had been safely evacuated by 1 p.m. on Thursday. The Indian Embassy in Kathmandu and the Ambassador have spoken to members of the group and assured them of all possible assistance. They are currently travelling towards Kathmandu, after which arrangements will be made for their return to India at the earliest.

To reassure their families, the Ministry of External Affairs has also released a list of the 21 evacuated Indian nationals.

The spokesperson further said that around 200 Indian pilgrims who had travelled to Kailash Mansarovar remain stranded in different locations inside China. Of these, approximately 95 pilgrims are at Darchen, the base camp of Mount Kailash, and are attempting to return through Hilsa in Nepal. Around 20 are stranded in Zhilong and Zutulpuk, while approximately 60-70 others remain stranded in Saga.

The Indian embassies in Beijing and Kathmandu are coordinating with the governments of China and Nepal to facilitate the safe return of these pilgrims.

Providing details of India’s humanitarian assistance, Jaiswal said two aircraft had so far transported 47.5 tonnes of relief and rescue material to Nepal. An Indian Air Force C-130J aircraft carried 10 tonnes of relief supplies at around 8:30 p.m. on Wednesday, while a C-17 Globemaster aircraft transported another 37.5 tonnes of relief material on Thursday.

He added that preparations were also underway to provide a Bailey bridge to facilitate the crossing of the river at the site of the disaster. India remains prepared to send additional assistance to Nepal in accordance with the Nepalese government’s requirements.

The spokesperson also said that Prime Minister Narendra Modi had spoken to Nepalese Prime Minister Balendra Shah on Wednesday. India, he said, stands in solidarity with the people of Nepal and has offered every possible humanitarian assistance to support the ongoing relief and rescue operations.

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Hindusthan Samachar / Jun Sarkar