Ministry of External Affairs has said that 320 Indian nationals remain uncontactable or are reportedly missing following the flash flood tragedy on Wednesday. He said, around 100 people of Indian origin, holding other nationalities, also remain uncontactable.

 

Addressing the media in New Delhi today, Mr Jaiswal said that 63 Indian nationals working at the Trishuli-1 Hydropower Project were rescued from the affected area. He said, another 96 Indian nationals who were stranded on the Chinese side have safely crossed into Nepal by land and efforts are underway to evacuate them. Mr Jaiswal informed the media that twenty-one Indian nationals from Tamil Nadu, who had arrived in Kathmandu from the flood-affected area yesterday, have reached New Delhi this afternoon.

 

On the Chinese side, Mr Jaiswal said that around 400 Indian nationals are safe and in contact with their families. He said, the Indian Embassy in Beijing is coordinating with local authorities, team leaders and travel agents to facilitate their evacuation.

 

Meanwhile, India has stepped up humanitarian assistance to Nepal. Mr Jaiswal said that India has sent more than 47 tonnes of emergency relief supplies aimed at supporting Nepal’s ongoing rescue and relief operations. He informed that a third relief flight is expected to depart this evening, carrying around  13 tonnes of essential supplies, including portable generator sets, food, water purification tablets and medicines.

 

Mr Jaiswal said that the government has set up a control room in the Ministry of External Affairs, which is working round the clock. He said Indian embassies, both in Kathmandu and Beijing, have also set up 24×7 helplines.