Maharashtra Steps Up Efforts to Trace 67 Citizens Missing in Nepal-Tibet Floods

The Maharashtra government has intensified rescue and tracing operations to establish contact with 67 tourists and citizens from the state who remain unaccounted for following devastating floods in the Nepal-Tibet region on August 26.

According to official data updated through August 30, a total of 405 citizens from Maharashtra were affected by the flood situation. Authorities are currently working to bring 262 citizens back home, while 76 others have established contact with officials and have been confirmed safe.

Direct contact has not yet been made with a group of 60 citizens who travelled through tour operator Richa Tours Pvt Ltd. Additionally, seven other individuals registered through various communication links remain out of contact. The state administration is actively working to locate these individuals and verify their safety.

A special team from the Central Government has arrived in Kathmandu to assist in locating unaccounted tourists and citizens. The Indian Ambassador to Nepal met with the team to issue operational instructions, aiming to confirm the safety of stranded citizens and facilitate their return to India.

Rescue and coordination efforts are being conducted under the directions of Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis, with the Chief Minister's Office, the state administration, and the State Disaster Management Department monitoring developments and collaborating with central and regional agencies.

Some affected travellers have already returned. A group of 37 citizens who were stranded in Saga near Mount Kailash in Tibet arrived safely in Mumbai on the evening of August 29. In a separate development, 105 citizens from Nagpur have also returned safely.

The State Disaster Management Department stated that it is continuing coordination with all concerned agencies to trace the remaining citizens and provide necessary relief and travel assistance to everyone stranded in the affected zones.