CHENNAI: PWD minister Aadhav Arjuna on Monday informed the state Assembly that 84 tourists from Tamil Nadu remain incommunicado following devastating flash floods in Nepal’s Bhote Koshi river on August 26.He said chief minister C Joseph Vijay had directed officials to coordinate round-the-clock rescue and relief efforts with the Nepal govt, the ministry of external affairs and the Indian Embassy in Kathmandu.A three-member team of TN nodal officers has been stationed in Kathmandu to trace the missing tourists and assist relatives arriving in the country.Making the statement in the House, the minister said 21 tourists from TN had already been rescued, brought to New Delhi and safely sent to their native towns.“The CM has directed officials to provide all possible assistance to those affected and take every necessary step in coordination with the concerned authorities,” the minister said.“The three-member team is working closely with Nepalese authorities, the MEA, and the Indian Embassy to trace the 84 tourists whose whereabouts are yet to be confirmed. Search operations are underway on a war footing.”The state govt has urged relatives seeking information or travelling to Nepal to contact the nodal officers in Kathmandu or the TN House control room in New Delhi. Meanwhile, the Nepal Police has published details regarding the disaster and missing persons on its official website.
