Maharashtra Steps Up Efforts To Trace Tourists Stranded In Flood-Hit Nepal

Mumbai: The Maharashtra government has ramped up efforts to locate and aid tourists from the state who are stranded in Nepal due to the devastating flood situation. State officials estimate that 114 tourists from Maharashtra are currently missing in Nepal, with 53 confirmed to be safe. These figures are expected to change as district administrations continue to gather and verify information about residents who traveled to the Himalayan country.

Girish Mahajan, Disaster Management Minister, stated that the state government is maintaining constant communication with the Union government and working tirelessly to establish contact with all Maharashtra tourists. Contact has been established with four tourists, who have been confirmed to be safe. Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis personally reached out to stranded individuals via video call, assuring them that the government is with them and encouraging them not to fear.

Telephone and mobile networks have been disrupted in several areas due to the floods and landslides. According to the State Emergency Operations Centre, 61 Maharashtra tourists were traveling with the tour operator Richa Tours Pvt Ltd, while others traveled independently. Of those traveling with the tour operator, nearly 37 people in one vehicle have been confirmed safe in the Saga Mansarovar area.

Tourists are currently located at three separate locations in Nepal, having undertaken the Kailash Mansarovar pilgrimage and returning when the floods and landslides disrupted road connectivity. The Maharashtra government is collaborating with the Ministry of External Affairs and the Union Home Ministry to trace Indian citizens in Nepal.

The state is also reaching out to private travel operators that frequently take tourists from Maharashtra to Nepal, with 11 travel agencies currently being contacted for details on Maharashtra residents who may have recently traveled to Nepal.

The State Emergency Operations Centre has instructed all district collectors to compile information on residents from their respective districts who traveled to Nepal. A web-based system has been launched to collect and verify the whereabouts of stranded tourists. The Disaster Management Department has made an appeal to relatives and the public with information about tourists in Nepal to share this information with authorities.

A 24-hour helpline desk has been established for assistance, with citizens able to contact the Disaster Management Department at 9321587143, 1070, and 022-22027990. The Chief Minister's Office has also set up a 24-hour control room at Mantralaya, where assistance can be sought via controlroom@maharashtra.gov.in. The state government assures that its emergency response mechanism will remain operational round the clock until all available information is verified and assistance reaches Maharashtra residents affected by the crisis.