219 Tamils Traced Safe in Nepal, Set to Return to Chennai

A total of 219 people from Tamil Nadu who had travelled to Nepal have been traced safe and are scheduled to return to Chennai, State School Education Minister A Rajmohan announced at Chennai airport late on Saturday night.

Speaking to reporters after returning from New Delhi, Rajmohan said the state government gathered information that 319 people from Tamil Nadu had travelled to Nepal in batches. While 219 of them have been confirmed safe and secure and are expected to reach Chennai by August 31, around 100 people remain untraceable and missing.

The minister stated that while many pilgrims travelled in groups, some had travelled individually. The state government's tracing efforts extend beyond those who travelled directly from Tamil Nadu to include Tamils who went to Nepal from Bengaluru and other countries such as Malaysia.

Earlier, 21 Tamils who managed to escape flash floods in the Bhotekoshi river were brought to Delhi and flown to Chennai. They were part of a 57-member group that had travelled through a Thanjavur-based travel agency, while the remaining members of that group remain untraceable.

Chief Minister C Joseph Vijay deputed four ministers to New Delhi to coordinate rescue operations with central agencies. Minister for Non-Resident Tamils Welfare Department K Thennarasu continues to camp in Delhi to facilitate the return of rescued individuals.