A group of 21 Indian pilgrims returning from the Kailash Mansarovar Yatra has been safely evacuated to India after being stranded in severe floods in Nepal. The pilgrims were rescued from a highly challenging terrain by the Nepalese Army and subsequently brought to Kathmandu, from where the Indian Embassy arranged their return to the capital. Following their arrival, External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar met the group in person to express relief over their safe return and to hear firsthand about their ordeal.
Evacuation of 21 Pilgrims from Flood-Hit Nepal
External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar welcomed the group of pilgrims and expressed happiness over their well-being. The pilgrims had encountered unexpected severe flooding in Nepal while undertaking the pilgrimage. According to official details, the Nepalese Army conducted a high-risk rescue operation in what the minister described as a very difficult location to extract the stranded group. After bringing them safely to Kathmandu, the Indian Embassy facilitated their documentation and travel back to India.
Pilgrim Recounts Ordeal 100 Meters from Rising Floodwaters
A pilgrim residing in Tamil Nadu and hailing from Visakhapatnam in Andhra Pradesh shared the harrowing experience of being caught in the disaster. The pilgrim recounted that the rushing floodwaters came within just 100 meters of where they were located. Reflecting on the life-threatening situation, the survivor stated that God helped them overcome the crisis. Describing the ground situation in Nepal as extremely serious, the pilgrim highlighted the terror faced by those caught in the natural disaster.
State Leadership Outreach and Missing Persons Claim
The pilgrim also acknowledged the support received from state leadership during the crisis. Andhra Pradesh Minister Nara Lokesh and the local constituency MLA reached out to the pilgrim over the phone to extend support. Expressing gratitude to the Chief Minister and state representatives for their timely backing, the pilgrim further claimed that approximately 250 Indians remain missing in the flood-affected regions.
Over 315 Indians Still Unreachable as 85 Are Evacuated
External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar emphasized that the humanitarian mission is ongoing. The primary focus of the Indian government remains on establishing contact with more than 315 Indian citizens who have not yet been reached in the flood-impacted areas. The minister informed that nearly 85 Indian nationals have been successfully rescued from various locations so far, and efforts are continuously underway to track and assist all remaining stranded individuals.
Role of Nepalese Army and Indian Embassy Coordination
The rescued pilgrims expressed deep gratitude to the Nepalese Army for their prompt action and bravery in saving lives under hazardous conditions. Once the group arrived in Kathmandu, officials from the Indian Embassy coordinated all logistical arrangements to ensure a smooth transition back home. The Ministry of External Affairs continues to closely monitor the ground situation in Nepal to support all affected Indian nationals.
