28 August,2026 08:04 AM IST | Mumbai | mid-day online correspondent
Eknath Shinde. File Pic
Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Eknath Shinde has spoken via video call with tourists and residents from the state stranded in Nepal following devastating floods, as authorities stepped up efforts to gather information and coordinate assistance for their safe return.
More than 80 people from Maharashtra are reported to be stranded in Nepal, according to preliminary information collected by the State Emergency Operation Center (SEOC), Maharashtra. State authorities said efforts were underway to verify the details of the affected citizens and coordinate assistance with the relevant agencies.
During the video interaction, Shinde inquired about the well-being of those stranded and sought details about the situation on the ground. He assured them that the state administration was working to facilitate their safe and early return.
Earlier, speaking to reporters, Shinde described the situation in Nepal as tragic and said the Maharashtra government was in contact with people from the state who remained stranded.
"The incident that has happened in Nepal is a very tragic and unfortunate event. Our country's Prime Minister Narendra Modi is fully cooperating with Nepal. Some people from Maharashtra are there. Our disaster management is in contact with those people... We will work to safely bring back those from Maharashtra who are stuck there..."
The Deputy Chief Minister's outreach comes as the state administration works to identify all Maharashtra residents affected by the disaster and establish contact with them and their families.
The SEOC said more than 80 citizens from Maharashtra had been reported stranded in Nepal based on preliminary information.
Of them, 57 were travelling through Richa Tours Pvt. Ltd., the agency said. The SEOC has established contact with the travel company and is coordinating with it regarding the affected travellers.
Authorities said the number of stranded citizens and other details could change as information is verified and more reports are received.
The SEOC has developed a web-based link to collect information about citizens from Maharashtra who may be stranded in Nepal. The link has been shared with districts across the state to ensure wider dissemination and facilitate the collection of information.
District Magistrates have also been instructed to collect and verify details of affected citizens.
The SEOC said its team was continuously receiving information through the web-based forms, while a help desk had been set up to respond to inquiries and provide assistance.
The Maharashtra government has issued helpline numbers -- 9321587143, 1070 and 022-22027990 -- for information and assistance related to citizens affected by the situation in Nepal.
According to the latest update available with the SEOC, four civilians have been confirmed safe.
The information collected by the Maharashtra agency will also be shared with the Integrated Control Room - Emergency Response of the Ministry of Home Affairs in New Delhi.
The state government is maintaining coordination with travel agencies and the families of stranded citizens as part of efforts to obtain updated information and provide necessary assistance.
Meanwhile, Nepal's National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Authority (NDRRMA) said in its latest status report released on Thursday that 389 bodies had been recovered and 977 people remained missing following the Bhote Koshi flood in Rasuwa district.
