Nepal floods: Families await information on stranded relatives from Tamil Nadu

Family members of Indian pilgrims stranded in Nepal's recent flash floods are anxiously awaiting updates on their loved ones' safety. Vishnu Ramaswamy and his family are among the 57 individuals who embarked on the Kailash Manasarovar Yatra, a pilgrimage organized by the Super Travel Agency in Kumbakonam. According to Vishnu Ramaswamy, three pilgrims from Puducherry took part in the journey on August 23.

Regular phone calls kept the family informed until August 26, when the last message was received around 6:15 am. The family learned of their relatives' safety through television broadcasts and later received official confirmation from disaster management authorities in Delhi. However, the family is struggling to contact their loved ones directly, as their mobile phones are currently out of service.

The whereabouts of the remaining 37 pilgrims are unknown. The Tamil Nadu government has directed its representatives in Delhi to expedite efforts to rescue the Tamil Nadu pilgrims and has established a 24/7 control room for assistance. Around 600 foreigners, including 177 from India, are among the 826 people reported missing in the floods, which have cut off a mountainous region linking Tibet with Kathmandu.