Mumbai: As Nepal continues to deal with the aftermath of devastating flash floods, 290 people from Maharashtra who were stranded in different parts of the country have been confirmed safe, although they remain unable to return home immediately.
According to the latest information available with the Maharashtra government, a total of 395 residents from the state were known to be in Nepal when the floods struck. Of these, 105 people have already started their journey back to India.
The remaining 290 Maharashtra residents have been contacted by the state control room and their safety has been confirmed. However, many of them continue to remain stranded in affected areas as rescue and transportation arrangements are being coordinated.
At the same time, concern remains over another group of 60 Maharashtra tourists whose whereabouts have not yet been established. The group was travelling in Nepal as part of a tour organised by Mumbai-based Richa Tours Pvt Ltd.
Efforts are continuing to locate the missing tourists and establish contact with them. Their families are awaiting further information as authorities work to gather details about their movements and current locations.
The situation has also affected pilgrims from Maharashtra who had travelled to Tibet for the Kailash Mansarovar Yatra. Thirty-seven pilgrims who were stranded in Tibet after completing their pilgrimage began travelling towards Kathmandu on Friday morning.
Their movement was facilitated following intervention by Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis, who directed officials to assist the stranded pilgrims and coordinate arrangements for their safe movement.
Nepal has witnessed widespread disruption following severe flash floods that affected several areas, damaging roads and cutting off routes used by tourists and pilgrims. The situation has created additional difficulties for Indian nationals who were travelling through remote and mountainous regions.
For families in Maharashtra, the confirmation that hundreds of stranded residents are safe has provided some relief. However, authorities remain focused on tracing those who have not yet been contacted and ensuring that stranded residents can return to India safely.
Officials and agencies are expected to continue coordination with authorities in Nepal as rescue, communication and transportation efforts move forward. The priority remains locating the untraceable tourists and bringing stranded Indian nationals back home as soon as conditions permit.
The latest developments have highlighted the challenges faced by tourists and pilgrims travelling in mountainous regions during extreme weather events. With rescue operations and communication efforts continuing, families of the 60 untraceable Maharashtra residents are hoping for further updates in the coming hours.
