Nepal floods : Tamil Nadu steps up rescue efforts as 106 Manasarovar pilgrims affected

Tamil Nadu Chief Minister C Joseph Vijay on Thursday reviewed the situation following the devastating floods in Nepal and directed officials and ministers to coordinate rescue and relief efforts for people from the state stranded there.

Vijay held a review meeting at the Secretariat with senior ministers and top officials, including Chief Secretary M Sai Kumar, and ordered teams to be sent to Kathmandu and Delhi.

Resident Commissioner Ashish Kumar, along with a team from the Tamil Nadu House in New Delhi, has been directed to travel to Kathmandu and coordinate with Nepalese authorities on rescue and relief operations, the state government said.

The team will also facilitate the safe return of those rescued from the flood-hit areas.

Four ministers — Adhav Aruna, A Rajmohan, R Vinoth and K Thennarasu — have been asked to travel to Delhi to coordinate with the Union government and monitor rescue and relief efforts. They will also facilitate the return of rescued persons and arrange immediate medical assistance where required.

The government said 106 people from Tamil Nadu and Puducherry had travelled for the Manasarovar Yatra. The whereabouts of 20 people who were stranded following the floods have so far been ascertained.

Officials are continuing efforts to trace others and coordinate their safe return.