The Union government is keeping a close watch on the situation arising from the flash flood in Nepal, as National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) teams have been put on high alert and posted in the border districts of Bihar and Uttar Pradesh, a government statement said on Wednesday. Both states share a border with Nepal.
“No panic-like situation has arisen. The officers of the ministry of home affairs, along with the ministry of external affairs (MEA), ministry of jal shakti, and ministry of defence, are continuously monitoring the situation.”
The home ministry said late Wednesday that, as per inputs from the Central Water Commission (CWC), the water level in Nepal’s reservoirs is reducing and the situation is under control.
My condolences are with those families who have lost their loved ones in this disaster. Most of them were on their way to the Kailash Mansarovar pilgrimage and were staying at hotels and homestays in Raswagadi to spend the night before crossing over to Tibet on Wednesday. They were staying in a hotel named Hotel Kailash and were supposed to cross the border today.
“The devastation caused by the floods in Nepal is extremely heartbreaking. In this hour of crisis, the Government of India stands with Nepal. I have spoken with the Chief Ministers of Bihar and Uttar Pradesh regarding this disaster in Nepal . Among those yet to contact their relatives in Nepal is Delhi resident Seema Raula. Her brother Sumit Rawla and sister-in-law Shukabshi Rawal are missing. “We want the Nepal embassy to help us. We are unable to get in touch with anyone in Nepal. They were in a village called Tumur which was badly hit. During the day, Shah, who is closely monitoring the situation, spoke to the chief ministers of Bihar and Uttar Pradesh, as many border districts there have been placed on high alert. In India, teams have already been mobilised in the border districts of Bihar and UP. After a meeting by Bihar chief minister to take stock of the situation, especially along the Gandak river, the state government in the afternoon sought assistance from NDRF.
The Nepalese tourism ministry said that hundreds of people (mostly tourists, including 133 Indian nationals or OCIs) are missing. The hotel is 5 minutes from Raswagadhi. External affairs minister S Jaishankar, said that India has dispatched 10 tonnes of HADR assistance.
Union home minister Amit Shah said India stands by the Nepal government in this hour of crisis. The NDRF has also been placed on high alert along with the local administrations and relief-rescue teams in the border areas where its impact may be felt,” he said on X. Seema said they are Singapore citizens (OCI card holders) who were on their way to Kailash Mansarovar. People aware of the matter said senior home ministry officials have asked the NDRF rescuers to be on standby, as they could be flown to Nepal for rescue operations too.
