22 people belonging to T'gana untraced in Nepal

A total of 22 persons belonging to Telangana remained untraced following the devastating floods in Nepal, officials said on Thursday.

The state government is continuously monitoring the situation arising out of the floods in Nepal and adjoining areas and is coordinating necessary assistance through the Helpline and Coordination Centre at Telangana Bhavan, New Delhi, in coordination with the Helpline functioning at the Telangana Secretariat, Hyderabad.

Since activation of the helpline, around 80–100 calls have been received from family members and others seeking information and assistance.

After preliminary scrutiny and verification of the information received, 20 cases concerning 23 persons have been identified for further action and coordination. Of the 23 persons, 6 are from Telangana, and 17 are Telangana-origin NRIs, said an official release.

In a positive development, one person from Ranga Reddy district, who had travelled for the Kailash–Manasarovar Yatra, has now been confirmed safe and has established contact with his family.

Accordingly, one of the 23 persons has been confirmed safe, while follow-up is continuing in respect of the remaining 22 persons in coordination with the authorities concerned.

Several of the persons concerned were travelling in the Nepal–Tibet region, including those proceeding towards or returning from the Manasarovar Yatra. Their last known locations include areas around Rasuwa, Rasuwagadhi, and Gyirong on the Nepal–Tibet border.

On the instructions of Chief Minister A. Revanth Reddy, Telangana Bhavan officials are maintaining continuous coordination with the Telangana Secretariat, the Ministry of External Affairs, the Embassy of India and other authorities concerned for tracing the persons concerned, ascertaining their safety, and facilitating necessary assistance.

The Resident Commissioner, Telangana Bhavan, New Delhi, is personally monitoring the situation and reviewing the coordination and follow-up being undertaken by the officials concerned.

Information received from family members, travel operators and official channels is being verified on a continuous basis, and every actionable case is being taken up on priority with the concerned authorities, the release said,

The Telangana government will continue to closely monitor the situation and facilitate all necessary assistance based on verified information received from the agencies concerned, it added.