Chennai (Tamil Nadu) [India], August 27 (ANI): Tamil Nadu Chief Minister C Joseph Vijay on Thursday conducted a review meeting to oversee relief measures following the Nepal flood tragedy, directing state officials and cabinet ministers to coordinate rescue operations and ensure the safe return of survivors.
According to the state governemt, the CM instructed Ashish Kumar, Resident Commissioner, TN House, New Delhi, along with a team, to proceed to Kathmandu to oversee the relief and rescue measures in coordination with Nepali authorities and facilitate the safe return of survivors.
The CM has also instructed four Ministers to go to Delhi to coordinate and monitor the rescue and relief measures in coordination with the Union Government, facilitate the safe and speedy return of those rescued and extend the medical help needed immediately.
On the other hand, Tibetan leaders in exile have expressed deep concern over the disaster along the Nepal-Tibet border, describing the incident as a horrific calamity and calling for a detailed examination of its possible causes.
They also urged authorities to step up rescue and relief efforts in the affected areas and stressed the need to ensure the safety of communities living in the ecologically fragile Himalayan region.
Speaker of the Tibetan Parliament-in-exile Dolma Tsering Teykhang told ANI that the scale of the disaster was deeply distressing and offered condolences to those who lost their lives and belongings.
Meanwhile, following the devastating flash floods in Nepal, the Nepal Tourism Board on Thursday said that 178 Indian nationals are among the missing after the devastating flash floods that struck the Bhote Koshi and Trishuli rivers in Rasuwa, Nuwakot, Dhading and Gorkha districts a day earlier.
In an update of the situation, it said that "A preliminary agency-wise record received from trekking and travel companies has identified 644 travellers, including 127 Nepali nationals, who were reported missing from the affected area. The information is being verified and cross-checked in coordination with travel agencies, guides, local authorities and security agencies."
The statement also noted that riversides along the four affected districts, Rasuwa, Nuwakot, Dhading and Gorkha, bordering the Bhotekoshi and Trishuli rivers have suffered severe damage, while other areas remain unaffected.
Other than Indians, citizens of other countries are also missing in the devastating floods. 53 citizens are missing from Ukraine, 35 from Australia and 25 from Canada.
Nepal Embassy sources have also stated, "So far, 175 bodies have been recovered, while many people, both locals and tourists, are still missing.
According to the latest available information, 476 people from 28 countries have been reported missing.
These figures remain subject to verification as search and rescue operations continue.
"As the rescue operations continue, National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) Inspector General Narendra Singh Bundela said that there has been no adverse flood impact reported in Indian border territories following the flash floods in Nepal, adding that agencies are closely monitoring water discharge levels across sensitive districts such as Kushinagar and West Champaran.
Speaking to ANI on domestic preparedness, IG Bundela stated that state governments and the Central Water Commission (CWC) are maintaining continuous vigil and field-level sensitisation has been completed.
India has further stepped up humanitarian assistance for Nepal, with the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) stating that a second flight carrying 37.5 tonnes of Humanitarian Assistance and Disaster Relief (HADR) material, medicines and food packets has departed for the flood-hit country. (ANI)
Tamil Nadu CM convenes review meeting following Nepal floods; directs ministers to lead rescue efforts for trapped citizens
