The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) on Friday said that 320 Indian nationals remain missing following the devastating flash floods in Nepal, even as it reported fresh rescues and safe evacuations of stranded citizens.
Addressing a press briefing, MEA Official Spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal said 21 Indian nationals from Tamil Nadu, who had reached Kathmandu a day earlier from the flood-affected area, landed in Delhi on an IndiGo flight. He said India's ambassador had met the group in Kathmandu and inquired about their wellbeing before their evacuation to Delhi.
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Jaiswal also confirmed that 63 Indian nationals employed at the Trishuli-1 hydropower project, who had been rescued the previous day, were safe. Additionally, 96 Indian nationals who were stranded on the Chinese side of the border have safely crossed into Nepal by land, with efforts underway to evacuate them further.
On the number of missing citizens, the spokesperson said the count currently stands at 320, but cautioned that the situation remains fluid. "The figures keep going up and down," he said, adding that authorities are working to reconcile multiple lists. Around 100 persons of Indian origin, who may have travelled for the Kailash Mansarovar Yatra but hold other nationalities, also remain uncontactable, he said.
