As per the latest report, the death toll in Wednesday’s devastating flash flood in Bhotekoshi has risen to 359. Quoting Nepali Police spokesperson, The Kathmandu Post reported that the highest number of dead bodies have been recovered from Chitwan and Nawalparasi East areas.
Meanwhile, the External Affairs Ministry spokesperson for Government of India has informed that around 288 Indians are either stranded or non-contactable since the flash floods have struck the region. These include 73 Indian nationals working in Trishuli One power project in Nepal and pilgrims on Kailash Mansarovar pilgrimage.
The stranded or non-contactable pilgrims include two batches comprising 37 and 49 pilgrims from Tamil Nadu and 32 Kailash Mansarovar pilgrims from West Bengal travelled through two travel companies – Samrat Travel and Fly Everest Travels.
There are 61 tourists from different states of India, including a 32 member group from Kerala, reported to have been stranded in Nepal, the MEA spokesperson informed.
“We are making all efforts to reach out to them through Nepali authorities. As of 13:00 hrs on Thursday, 21 Indian nationals have been rescued,” the spokesperson said. These 21 Indian nationals are from Tamil Nadu, he informed.
Meanwhile, the Nepal government has formed 12 teams to coordinate Bhotekoshi flood response by dividing the affected region into 12 sectors, to oversee rescue, relief, power restoration, medical response and other urgent needs, reports The Kathmandu Post.
The flash floods which was suspected to have caused due to ice rock avalanche in Tibet has swept away roads, bridges, houses and other infrastructure bordering major rivers in the region in Nepal. The death toll in the natural calamity is expected to rise as rescue and relief operations are underway with various countries of the world, including India, extending all kinds of support to Nepal.
