As Nepal battles one of its worst natural disasters in recent years, 288 Indian nationals remain uncontactable following devastating flash floods, while 21 Indians have so far been rescued, the Union ministry of external affairs (MEA) said on Thursday.
The Indian government is coordinating with Nepalese authorities to locate the uncontactable Indians, many of whom were in areas where communications have been severely disrupted by the floods.
73 Indians at Trishuli-1 Power Project
The largest identified group among the uncontactable Indians comprises 73 people working at the Trishuli-1 power project.
Mr Jaiswal said the Indian Embassy in Kathmandu is in contact with the project head to obtain information about the workers.
"The 73 people who are working on Trishuli-1 Power Project" are among those currently uncontactable, Mr Jaiswal said, adding that communication systems in the affected area have been badly disrupted.
The remaining uncontactable Indians comprise several tourist and pilgrimage groups.
According to MEA, two groups from Tamil Nadu, numbering 37 and 49 people, had travelled to Kailash Mansarovar on the Kailash Mansarovar Yatra through two travel operators, Samrat and Fly Everest.
Another 32 Indians from West Bengal had travelled with Samrat Travels and were in Timure in Nepal's Rasuwa district, one of the areas affected by the disaster.
MEA also identified a group of 61 Indians from different states who had travelled through Richa Tours, besides 33 Indians from Kerala.
These groups together account for the bulk of the 288 Indian nationals whose whereabouts remain unknown.
Mr Jaiswal said Indian authorities were working through Nepalese officials to establish contact with those affected.
21 Indians Rescued
MEA said 21 Indian nationals from Tamil Nadu had been rescued as of 1pm on Thursday. Mr Jaiswal said the Indian Embassy and the Ambassador had spoken with the rescued Indians and assured them of all possible assistance.
The rescued group is expected to reach Kathmandu, following which arrangements will be made for their return to India.
"As of 1300hrs today, we have been able to rescue 21 Indian nationals. This group of 21 people are from Tamil Nadu," Mr Jaiswal said.
Death Toll in Nepal Rises to 270
The disaster has caused widespread destruction across three districts of Nepal after flash floods swept through the transboundary Bhote Koshi River.
Nepal Police said on Thursday that the death toll had risen to 270 after 93 additional bodies were recovered. More than 800 people remain uncontactable, according to Nepalese authorities.
The floods originated in the Tibetan region of China before sweeping through the Bhote Koshi River system and causing extensive damage in Nepal.
The Rasuwa district, where some of the Indian tourists were located, has been among the affected areas.
More Than 40 Helicopter Sorties Carry Relief Supplies
Nepal has also intensified relief and rescue operations in the affected areas. More than 40 charter flights operated by private helicopters took off from Kathmandu's Tribhuvan International Airport on Thursday to transport relief supplies to flood-hit areas, including Rasuwa, according to Nepalese authorities.
The Nepal Army coordinated the helicopter operations. Its 14th battalion, stationed at the airport, was overseeing the movement of relief material from a collection centre to the private helicopters, according to a report by Kantipur.
The scale of the operation reflects the difficulties involved in reaching communities cut off by damaged roads and disrupted communications.
Indian Pilgrims Stranded on Chinese Side
The MEA also provided an update on Indian nationals undertaking the Kailash Mansarovar Yatra who are stranded on the Chinese side of the border.
Mr Jaiswal said around 200 Indian nationals had sought India's assistance for evacuation.
Of these, 95 people are in Darchen and are currently proceeding towards Hilsa to cross into Nepal. Another four are in Guilin, while 30 are in Zutulpuk and are travelling towards Saga. A further 60-70 people are also heading towards Saga.
The Indian Embassy in Beijing is coordinating with local authorities to facilitate their rescue and evacuation.
Mr Jaiswal said there could also be some Indians whose whereabouts were still unknown on the Chinese side and that efforts were under way to locate them through local authorities.
Indian-origin People Also Reported Uncontactable
MEA said it had separately received information about persons of Indian origin who may also have been affected.
Mr Jaiswal referred to a large group associated with the Isha Foundation that includes people of Indian origin and some foreign nationals. Some Indian nationals from this group may also remain uncontactable.
He cautioned that the numbers being provided were based on preliminary information and could change as authorities establish contact with people in the affected areas.
"This is a dynamic situation," Mr Jaiswal said, indicating that the government would provide further updates as information becomes available.
India Coordinating with Nepal
India's immediate focus is on establishing the whereabouts of the 288 uncontactable nationals and facilitating the return of those rescued.
MEA said the Indian Embassy in Kathmandu was working with Nepalese authorities and local contacts to trace the affected Indians, while the Indian mission in Beijing was coordinating with Chinese authorities over those stranded on the Chinese side.
The situation remains fluid, with severely disrupted communications in several affected areas complicating efforts to establish contact.
For India, the rescue effort is therefore unfolding on two fronts: tracing hundreds of nationals uncontactable in flood-hit Nepal and assisting around 200 Kailash Mansarovar pilgrims seeking evacuation from the Chinese side.
