A day after catastrophic flash floods hit Nepal, killing more than 160 people and leaving hundreds missing, the Keralam government has confirmed that it has received around 17 distress calls from families of Keralites affected by the disaster. Based on information received through various helplines, the Keralam government is coordinating efforts to establish contact with the 53 stranded Keralites and ensure their safety.

According to Rajesh Madhavan, Chief Executive Officer of NoRKA-Roots, the official agency for non-resident Keralites under the Government of Keralam, the 53 people were identified by collating information from the Chief Minister’s Office helpline, the Chief Secretary’s Office, the Kerala State Disaster Management Authority helpline and the NoRKA-Roots helpline.

The group includes adults, children and families. Some travelled to Nepal with their families, while others went in groups for holidays, pilgrimages and trekking etc., Mr. Madhavan said. The initial assessment is that all 53 are safe. However, although phone numbers of most of them have been collected, direct contact has not been possible because of network disruptions in Nepal. Travel within the country has also been severely affected by the floods, said Mr. Madhavan.

The Chief Secretary’s Office is serving as the main coordination centre and is in direct communication with the Union Ministry of External Affairs, Mr. Madhavan said. The Delhi NRK Development Office of NoRKA-Roots and the Kerala House Resident Commissioner’s Office are also coordinating with the Ministry.

Officials are maintaining regular contact with relatives to gather new information and update the help desk. Meanwhile, a group of 36 people from Kanhangad and another group of 16 from Kottayam have confirmed that they are safe and facing no problems. State government agencies were able to contact both groups directly, and they are not included among the 53 people being traced.

The Keralam 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 facility was established on the instructions of the Chief Minister’s Office.

Officials are maintaining regular contact with relatives to gather new information and update the help desk. Meanwhile, a group of 36 people from Kanhangad and another group of 16 from Kottayam have confirmed that they are safe and facing no problems. State government agencies were able to contact both groups directly, and they are not included among the 53 people being traced.

The Keralam 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 facility was established on the instructions of the Chief Minister’s Office.

Helplines

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 coordinating with the Nepali government on the rescue and safe evacuation of Indian nationals in distress. It has opened two special helplines – +977 985 131 6807 and +977 970 910 7500 — for Indians affected by the floods.

The Keralam government is also closely monitoring the situation. As directed by Chief Minister V.D. Satheesan, Chief Secretary Bishwanath Sinha is in communication with the Ministry of External Affairs. Families unable to contact relatives in Nepal have been asked to inform the Chief Minister’s Office.