Bhopal, Aug 27 (IANS) The Madhya Pradesh government on Thursday set up a control room in New Delhi to assist the state’s citizens who may be stranded in flood-hit Nepal, amid concerns over the safety of people from Madhya Pradesh travelling in the neighbouring country.
Chief Minister Mohan Yadav announced the initiative and appealed to residents of Madhya Pradesh currently in Nepal, as well as their families, to contact the control room for assistance and information.
The state government, however, didn’t mention how many Madhya Pradesh residents are currently in Nepal, and there is no official confirmation so far of any citizen, especially from the state, being stranded in the flood-affected areas.
“The state government has established a control room in New Delhi to provide assistance and necessary information to residents of Madhya Pradesh who are stranded due to the severe flood disaster in Nepal,” Chief Minister Yadav said in a post on social media platform X.
The control room can be contacted at 011-26772005, while assistance and information can also be sought through WhatsApp at 9818963273.
Queries can additionally be sent to recp1mpbhawan@mp.gov.in.
The precautionary measure assumes significance as Nepal has been hit by severe flooding in several areas, disrupting normal life and raising concerns about the safety of tourists and pilgrims from India.
Nepal is a major religious tourism destination for people from Madhya Pradesh.
Devotees from the state regularly travel to Kathmandu to visit the Pashupatinath Temple, with pilgrim groups particularly undertaking such journeys during the holy month of Shravan.
Nepal is also an important route for pilgrims from India undertaking the Kailash Mansarovar Yatra, adding to the number of Indian visitors who may be present in the country during the monsoon season.
According to information attributed to Nepal’s National Tourism Board, 178 Indians have been reported missing following flash floods in the Bhote Koshi and Trishuli rivers in Rasuwa and Nuwakot districts.
The situation has been particularly serious in Rasuwa, near the Nepal-Tibet border, where the Rasuwagadhi area and downstream areas along the Bhote Koshi river have been affected by the floods.
The Madhya Pradesh government’s decision to establish a dedicated helpline will enable families in the state to seek information about relatives who may be travelling in Nepal and facilitate coordination with authorities concerned.
Chief Minister Yadav also expressed grief over the loss and disruption caused by the disaster and said the state government stood with its citizens during the crisis.
The state government has urged residents with family members in Nepal to use the designated communication channels for assistance rather than relying on unverified information about their whereabouts.
–IANS
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