A day after a massive flash flood swept through Nepal, killing more than 160 people so far, the Keralam government said it had received around 16 distress calls from families of Keralites affected by the disaster. Based on the initial calls, around 25-30 tourists from Kerala are estimated to be stranded in the flood-hit region.

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There were also unconfirmed reports that another group of 36 tourists from Kerala, including a former police officer from Kanhangad, was trapped in the affected region. Speaking to The Hindu, Rajesh Madhavan, the Chief Executive Officer of NoRKA-Roots —the official agency for non-resident Keralites under the Government of Keralam — said that the number of stranded tourists could rise given the tourist flow to Nepal during the vacation season.

“We estimated that up to 30 people from Kerala were stranded in the region based on calls received at various help desks, including those of NoRKA-Roots and the Chief Minister’s Office. We have compiled the data and handed it over to the NRK Development Officer in Delhi, who has been assigned to coordinate relief and assistance activities,” Mr. Madhavan said.

He added that the repatriation of affected people will take time as the affected region, which is a popular trekking destination, has been cut off from the rest of Nepal.

The Kerala government has already set up a help desk under NoRKA-Roots to provide emergency assistance, services and information to Keralites stranded in Nepal following the flash floods. The help desk was established on the instructions of the Chief Minister’s Office.

Those seeking assistance can contact the NoRKA Global Contact Centre at 1800 425 3939 (toll-free) or +91 88020 12345 (missed call from abroad). The Indian Embassy in Nepal is also in constant touch with the Nepali government to ensure the safe evacuation of Indian nationals in distress and coordinate rescue operations. It has also opened two special helplines — +977 985 131 6807 and +977 970 910 7500 — for Indians affected by the floods.

The Kerala government is closely monitoring the situation. As directed by the Chief Minister, Chief Secretary Bishwanath Sinha is in communication with the Ministry of External Affairs.

Families unable to contact Keralites in Nepal have been asked to inform the Chief Minister’s Office.