Nepal floods: Nearly 80 Maharashtra tourists stranded as government verifies preliminary figures

Nearly 80 tourists from Maharashtra are estimated to be stranded in floodhit Nepal though the figure remains preliminary and could change as authorities continue to collect and verify information officials said on ThursdayAccording to a report issued by the State Emergency Operations Centre SEOC on Thursday morning 57 of those believed to be stranded had travelled through a tour agency while the remaining tourists were travelling independentlySo far four Maharashtra residents have been reported safe officials saidFlash floods that struck Nepal on Wednesday caused widespread devastation across three districts leaving at least 165 people dead and many others missing including more than 300 Indian tourists according to reports The disaster has also disrupted communication and transport links making it difficult for authorities to establish contact with those stranded in affected areasAuthorities verify preliminary list of stranded touristsThe SEOC said it was in contact with Richa Tours Pvt Ltd the agency that had organised travel for 57 people from MaharashtraIt was also coordinating with the Union Home Ministrys Integrated Control RoomEmergency Response in New Delhi to obtain further information about Maharashtra residents affected by the floodsState authorities are continuing to coordinate with travel agencies and other agencies involved in organising trips to Nepal as part of efforts to identify and trace those who may be strandedDuplicate names found during information collectionThe SEOC and district administrations have been collecting details of Maharashtra residents who may have been affected by the floodsDuring the exercise authorities found possible duplication of names in some cases These entries are being verified before a final figure is determined officials saidThe government has asked district collectors to gather information from families and other sources and verify the details of people reported stranded in NepalOfficials said the number of affected tourists could be revised as more information becomes availableDisaster management department issues helpline numbersThe Maharashtra Disaster Management Department has appealed to people to share information about relatives or other individuals stranded in NepalPeople can contact the department through the helpline numbers 9321587143 1070 and 02222027990The department has also established a helpline desk and asked families to provide as much information as possible to help authorities coordinate assistance and establish contact with those affectedThe SEOC has also developed a webbased facility for collecting information about stranded people The link has been circulated through the media while district collectors have been directed to gather and verify details received through various channelsCMO sets up 24hour control roomThe Chief Ministers Office said on Wednesday that a 24hour control room had been established at Mantralaya to coordinate assistance for Maharashtra residents affected by the floods in NepalThe government has appealed to people requiring assistance to contact the control room through the helpline numbers issued by the state Disaster Management DepartmentCitizens can also share information through email at controlroommaharashtragovinMaharashtra residents stranded in Nepal have also been asked to submit their details through the designated online link so that authorities can coordinate assistance and maintain an updated record of those affectedWith inputs from PTI