TN Deputes Teams to Kathmandu and Delhi to Rescue Pilgrims in Flood-Hit Nepal

Tamil Nadu Chief Minister C Joseph Vijay reviewed the situation arising from the devastating flash floods in Nepal during a review meeting at the Secretariat in Chennai on Thursday, directing teams of ministers and senior officials to Kathmandu and New Delhi to coordinate rescue operations for stranded natives of the state.

Chief Secretary M Sai Kumar and senior ministers attended the review meeting at the Secretariat. Following the discussions, the Chief Minister instructed Ashish Kumar, Resident Commissioner at Tamil Nadu House in New Delhi, to proceed to Kathmandu alongside a team to coordinate on-ground relief and rescue efforts with Nepali authorities and assist survivors.

Four state ministers—Adhav Aruna (PWD), A Rajmohan (School Education), R Vinoth (Agriculture), and K Thennarasu (Non Resident Tamils)—were directed to travel to New Delhi to coordinate operations with the Union Government, arrange medical aid, and ensure the swift return of rescued pilgrims.

The rescue measures were detailed in the Tamil Nadu Assembly after opposition parties, including the DMK and AIADMK, raised a call-attention motion regarding the safety of stranded Tamils. Leader of the Opposition Udhayanidhi Stalin questioned the state government on the volume of helpline calls received and the measures taken to trace missing travellers.

Responding in the Assembly, Minister A Rajmohan stated that search and rescue operations were being conducted intensively alongside Nepalese authorities. Initial records indicated that 57 people—including 54 residents from 10 Tamil Nadu districts and three from Puducherry—had travelled to Nepal for the Kailash Yatra. Of those 57, 20 individuals have been confirmed safe, while efforts continue to locate the remaining 37. Steps are underway to bring the 20 rescued people back via Kathmandu.

The issue initially came to light when families from Kumbakonam in Thanjavur district approached authorities after losing contact with relatives booked through a local tour operator.

Rajmohan informed the Assembly that the government also identified another group of 49 pilgrims taken to Mansarovar by a Chennai-based travel agency, bringing the total number of tracked pilgrims to 106. Officials are working to verify their whereabouts and itineraries.

A dedicated control room has been activated at Tamil Nadu House in New Delhi (+91 9289516712). The state government has also operationalised dedicated helpline numbers, including 18003093793 for calls within India, and +918069009900 (missed call) alongside +918069009901 for callers outside India.