16 Keralites return safely from Nepal, says CM Satheeesan

Thiruvananthapuram: Sixteen Keralites, including a 14-member group from Kochi, have returned home safely from Nepal, while 45 travellers have been confirmed safe across Nepal and Indian transit locations, Chief Minister V.D. Satheesan said.

He added on Saturday evening that arrangements are underway to bring the remaining travellers back home. 

Among those who have returned are Sruthi Shikhamani of Kakkanad and Rineeth Mohan of Piravom, Satheesan said in a social media post on X. 

"Seven people are still to be contacted, including four Australian citizens of Kerala origin. Their details are being coordinated with the Ministry of External Affairs. Under the directions of the Chief Minister's Office, NORKA Roots and the Delhi NRK Development Office are continuing to facilitate transit and return travel arrangements for those reaching India." 

The update comes amid continuing concern over Keralites caught up in the devastating flash floods and glacial avalanche along the Nepal-Tibet border, which disrupted travel through the Himalayan region. 

Meanwhile, architect and Padma Shri awardee G. Shankar, whose cancelled Kailash Manasarovar pilgrimage put him on the same route days before the disaster, issued another social media post on Saturday thanking people for their concern and urging caution. 

"Wading through an ocean of love, affection and care," Shankar wrote, referring to the 5.5 lakh views and thousands of messages and calls his earlier social media post had received. 

"Keep Nepal in your thoughts. Tread on with soft steps. For disasters are just beneath your feet," he said. 

Shankar had been scheduled to undertake the pilgrimage with the Mohanji Foundation. His itinerary included Kathmandu, Manasarovar, Saga for acclimatisation and then Darchen. 

However, he and his wife cancelled the trip on August 21 after their son strongly urged them not to travel. 

The decision proved critical as the disaster struck the route shortly afterwards. 

Shankar said he hoped to return to the Himalayas "with care, caution and hope", while thanking spiritual teacher Mohanji, writer Asha Menon and writer T. Padmanabhan for reaching out to him.219 Tamil Nadu residents rescued 

At least 219 of the 319 Tamil Nadu residents stranded in flood-ravaged Nepal have been rescued, while search operations are continuing to locate the remaining 100, Minister Rajmohan said on Sunday. 

Speaking to reporters at Chennai airport after returning from New Delhi, Rajmohan said the rescued residents were being brought back to the state in batches. Thirty-three people are scheduled to arrive in Coimbatore on a flight from Delhi on Monday evening, while six others are expected to reach Chennai later that night. 

The minister said the Tamil Nadu government was coordinating with the Centre, Indian diplomatic officials and rescue agencies in Nepal to establish the whereabouts of those who remained missing. 

Among the affected travellers was a 57-member group that undertook the journey through a Kumbakonam-based travel agency. Twenty-one members of the group have been rescued and brought safely to Chennai. 

Rescue teams are still trying to trace the remaining 36 members. 

The government is also awaiting information about 49 residents from Chromepet who travelled as part of the Mahadevi Yatra group. Their present location has not yet been confirmed. 

Rajmohan said another group of 150 Tamil Nadu residents had reached Kathmandu through the China border and was returning to India on different flights. 

An additional 39 people had also been confirmed safe. 

12 from Assam missing 

Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma on Saturday said the state government has identified 12 people from Assam who remain untraced in Nepal following the flash flood incident in the neighbouring country. 

Sarma said authorities are making efforts to establish contact with the missing persons and facilitate their safe rescue. 

404 from Maharashtra safe 

Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis said on Saturday that the government agencies are working round-the-clock to assist and evacuate tourists and residents from the state stranded in Nepal following severe flooding. 

He has issued strict instructions to authorities to maintain high vigilance and coordinate travel logistics to ensure the safe return of all affected individuals to their hometowns. 

Current data indicates that 404 citizens from the state are verified safe, while 338 individuals have been successfully contacted. 

According to official updates, 41 people returned from Nepal's Saga on Saturday, while 106 citizens are scheduled to arrive in Nagpur at 4:30am on Sunday. 

Nearly 143 residents are currently on their way to the state. 

A group of 45 tourists from Nashik, Pune, Mumbai, and Ahilyanagar – who travelled to Nepal via a tour operator based in Ahilyanagar's Sangamner – have safely re-entered Indian territory. 

The group was in Nepal's Chitwan during the flood outbreak. 

"Due to road closures heading toward Kathmandu, they were re-routed through Lumbini in Nepal, and are expected to reach Ayodhya on Saturday. Further travel arrangements will follow state directives," the government statement said. 

A group of 106 individuals from Nagpur began their journey home today via Bihar, the statement said. 

Authorities are tracking information regarding eight tourists from Borivali and Andheri currently stranded in Nepal. Efforts to reach Laxminarayan Acharya from Andheri and others in this group via mobile network have faced connectivity disruptions. 

Indo-Asian News Service