Kochi, 30 August (H.S.):Sixteen Malayalis stranded in Nepal following devastating flash floods have returned to Kerala, NORKA Roots confirmed on Sunday. The returnees include Piravom native Rineeth Mohan, who remained unreachable for several days after losing his mobile phone during the journey home.

With their arrival, the safety of 45 of the 52 Malayalis identified as being in Nepal when the floods struck has been confirmed. NORKA Roots CEO Rajesh Madhavan said they were either safe in Nepal or had reached other parts of India and were arranging their return.

Efforts are continuing to trace seven Malayalis whose whereabouts remain unknown. Authorities are also awaiting information about four people of Kerala origin who hold Australian citizenship. Their details have been forwarded to the Ministry of External Affairs for further action.

Following directions from the Chief Minister's Office, NORKA Roots has arranged assistance for people entering India from Nepal and travelling onward to Kerala. Those requiring support can approach NORKA help desks or the Delhi NRK Development Office.

Rineeth had travelled to Nepal on August 23 for a holiday and was near Pokhara when the floods occurred. After being informed about the disaster by his family, he began his return journey. His family lost contact after he misplaced his phone while travelling to Delhi. He boarded a Kerala-bound train from Delhi on August 27 and reached home on Sunday afternoon.

A 14-member group from Kochi also returned safely. Another returnee, Kakkanad native Shruthi Shikhamani, had travelled to Nepal for the Kailash Mansarovar pilgrimage and was in Kathmandu when the disaster struck.

The floods have reportedly killed 675 people, while nearly 2,400 remain missing, including 275 Indians. More than 4,400 people have been rescued or evacuated. The disaster swept through central Nepal, destroying houses, vehicles, roads and bridges and severely damaging hydropower infrastructure across several districts.

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Hindusthan Samachar / Arun Lakshman