New Delhi: Twenty-one pilgrims from Tamil Nadu who were rescued from the devastating floods in Nepal have safely returned to India, following a rescue operation carried out by the Nepal Army in the flood-affected Bhotekoshi region.
The group, which had travelled to Nepal as part of the Kailash Mansarovar pilgrimage, was among those stranded after severe flash floods struck areas of Rasuwa district along the Bhotekoshi River. The disaster caused widespread destruction, damaged roads and bridges, and left large numbers of people stranded or uncontactable across the affected region.
According to reports, the Nepal Army carried out helicopter rescue operations in several affected areas, including Timure, Syafrubesi and Mailung. On Thursday, the Army reported rescuing hundreds of people from the flood-hit areas, including foreign nationals. The 21 Tamil Nadu pilgrims were among those successfully brought to safety.
After their rescue, the pilgrims were brought to Kathmandu before being facilitated for their return to India. They arrived in New Delhi on Friday, August 28, where they were received by India’s External Affairs Minister Dr. S. Jaishankar.
Jaishankar personally met the group at the airport and heard about their experiences during the disaster and rescue operation. In a social media post, the minister said he was moved by hearing their experiences firsthand and expressed his gratitude to the Nepal Army and the Government of Nepal for their rescue efforts. He also appreciated the Embassy of India in Kathmandu for facilitating the group’s smooth return to India.
The minister later told reporters that the pilgrims had described what happened to them when the floods struck and were particularly thankful to the Nepal Army for making the effort to bring them out of what had become a highly dangerous situation.
Nepal Army Leads Rescue Efforts
The rescue of the 21 pilgrims is part of a much wider search-and-rescue operation underway following the catastrophic floods in Nepal. The Nepal Army, Nepal Police and Armed Police Force have been deployed across the affected areas to search for missing people, evacuate stranded residents and foreign nationals, and provide assistance to communities cut off by damaged infrastructure.
The scale of the disaster has also created significant concern among Indian authorities because hundreds of Indian nationals were in Nepal or travelling through the affected areas when the floods occurred. India’s Ministry of External Affairs has continued coordinating with the Nepal government and Indian missions in the region to locate and assist its citizens.
As of Friday, the Indian government said that 320 Indian nationals remained missing or uncontactable, while many others had been rescued or were known to be safe. The Indian Embassy in Kathmandu has been working with Nepali authorities to facilitate the movement and return of rescued Indian citizens.
The Indian government has also been monitoring the situation of Indian nationals who were on the Chinese side of the border. Officials said that some Indian citizens had crossed safely into Nepal, while others remained safe and in contact with authorities in China.
Acknowledgment of Nepal’s Rescue Efforts
The safe return of the 21 Tamil Nadu pilgrims has highlighted the role of Nepal’s security forces in responding to one of the country’s most serious recent flood emergencies.
The Nepal Army’s rescue teams have been operating under difficult conditions, with damaged roads, disrupted communication networks, unstable terrain and continuing flood risks making access to affected locations challenging. Helicopters have been used to reach areas where conventional ground access has been severely affected.
The expression of gratitude from the rescued pilgrims and the Indian External Affairs Minister has also underscored the close cooperation between Nepal and India during a humanitarian emergency.
For the families of the rescued pilgrims, their safe arrival in India brings relief after days of uncertainty. At the same time, rescue and search operations remain ongoing in Nepal, with authorities continuing efforts to locate people who are still missing and provide assistance to those affected by the floods.
The return of the 21 pilgrims therefore represents not only a successful rescue but also a reminder of the importance of rapid coordination, humanitarian assistance and cooperation between neighbouring countries during major natural disasters.
Nepal Akhbar | Verified News. Trusted Voice.
