Nearly 300 Indians Among Thousands Missing In Nepal Floods, Says Foreign Minister
Kathmandu: Nearly 300 Indian nationals, many of them believed to be pilgrims travelling towards Mansarovar, are among thousands of people reported missing following devastating flash floods in Nepal, Foreign Minister Shisir Khanal said.
Speaking at the NDTV World Anviksha Summit in Kathmandu, Khanal said the disaster in the Rasuwa region had claimed at least 160 lives, while thousands of people remained untraced.
“Town after town have been wiped out within hours,” Khanal said, describing the scale of destruction caused by the floods.
He said authorities were still working to determine the full extent of the disaster, with thousands of families having either lost their homes or remained unaccounted for.
Nearly 300 Indians Reported Missing
Khanal said around 300 Indians had been reported missing, most of them believed to be pilgrims travelling along routes used for the Mansarovar Yatra.
“Close to 300 Indians have been reported missing and the government is trying to establish contact with them,” he said.
Overall, approximately 500 foreign nationals are currently out of contact, according to the minister. Nepal’s government is coordinating with the embassies of various countries to establish the whereabouts and safety of those reported missing.
Khanal stressed that the safety of foreign nationals remained a priority alongside the rescue of Nepali citizens.
“We are as committed to the safety and well-being of foreign nationals as we are to Nepali citizens,” he said.
Rescue And Relief Remain The Priority
Calling the floods one of the worst disasters Nepal has faced in recent years, Khanal said the immediate priority was rescuing those still stranded and providing emergency assistance to affected communities.
He also thanked India for quickly sending relief supplies and support to Nepal.
“Right now the focus is on rescue and immediate relief,” Khanal said, expressing gratitude to countries around the world that have offered assistance and support.
Nepal Appeals To Tourists To Return
Looking beyond the immediate crisis, Khanal urged the international community to continue supporting Nepal’s recovery by keeping the country’s tourism sector active.
He said that while some areas have been severely affected, most of Nepal’s major tourist destinations remain untouched by the floods.
Khanal specifically said destinations such as Pokhara and the Mount Everest region remain open and safe for tourists, urging travellers not to view the entire country through the lens of the disaster.
“Tourism is critical to our rebuilding efforts,” he said, appealing to visitors to continue travelling to Nepal and contribute to the country’s economic recovery.
‘Nepal Will Rebuild Itself Again’
Khanal said Nepal has overcome major tragedies in the past, including the devastating 2015 earthquake, and expressed confidence that the country would recover from the latest disaster as well.
“We have emerged stronger after past tragedies,” he said, adding that Nepal would rebuild once again.
For now, however, rescue teams and authorities remain focused on locating missing people, assisting displaced families and reaching communities cut off by the devastating floods.
News Source : Information for this article was gathered from a variety of reliable news outlets.
