Nearly 155 people from Assam have been stranded in earthquake-hit Nepal. Of them, 90 people have been contacted by the Assam Government with the rest 65 still missing, according to the Assam State Disaster Management Authority (ASDMA).
Nineteen of the stranded people from Assam have arrived in New Delhi on Sunday from Kathmandu, claimed the ASDMA on Sunday. It is understood that they would be brought to Guwahati on Monday. "Another batch is likely to reach New Delhi on Monday in a special flight from Kathmandu. We are in touch with the ASDMA and officials of Ministry of External Affairs and Home Affairs to locate those who are still traceless," said Hiren Nath, IGP Assam Police.
The Government on Saturday opened two helpline numbers 09435552203 and 08749860803 to assist the family members in helping them find their kin stranded in earthquake-devastated Nepal. Also, the IGP has been appointed as the Nodal officer.
Nath said most of those from Assam are either tourists or had visited the country for treatment purposes. "Some of them, however, went for some other works. We are in constant touch with our embassy in Kathmandu and trying to get information about those missing from our State," he added.
"Those who have reached Delhi are being taken care of. A control room has been opened in the Assam House in New Delhi too," Commissioner and Secretary of ASDMA PK Tiwari said.
He said the ASDMA had issued warning to all the districts in the State to assist people seeking help from the administration. "Since Assam is situated in the seismically active zone V, earthquake is a reality and hence we have already asked the district administration to take precautionary measures to reduce damages and save lives in case of a disaster," Tiwari said, adding, "They (officials) have been surveying the buildings which developed cracks so that necessary measures can be taken."