Bhubaneswar, Aug. 27: Two individuals from the Khordha district in Odisha have been reported missing after catastrophic flash floods impacted Nepal on Wednesday.
The missing tourists have been named as Sandeep Mahapatra and his spouse, Sidharthi Kumari Sahu.
This news emerges as reports indicate that approximately 133 Indian tourists are unaccounted for following the natural disaster in Nepal.
In response, the Odisha government has set up a 24/7 control room at Odisha Niwas in New Delhi to assist residents from the state who may be affected by this calamity.
Pritish Panda, Officer on Special Duty (OSD) at the Odisha Paribar Directorate, stated that efforts are underway to gather information through calls made to the helpline numbers provided by the state government.
“Since we issued the helpline numbers, we have been informed that two individuals from Khordha district, who traveled to Nepal, are reportedly missing. We are in regular contact with their families and are compiling information to relay to the Indian Embassy,” said Panda.
Families looking for information about Odias who might be stranded or missing in Nepal can reach out to the helpline numbers: +977 9851316807 and +977 9709107500.
Efforts by authorities are ongoing to confirm the status of the missing tourists and determine their locations.
The flash floods, which were caused by rising water levels due to a glacial collapse, have resulted in significant destruction across various regions in Nepal, severely disrupting daily life for thousands of residents and tourists alike.
Dr. Subhransu Bhusan Ray, a former Deputy Director General of the Geological Survey of India, described the situation as “very unfortunate” and emphasized the extensive scale of the devastation.
“Over 400 individuals are currently untraceable. The Bhote Koshi River has carried massive amounts of mud and debris with immense force, leading to widespread destruction. Eleven power plants, 25 satellite towers, and 19 bridges have been completely destroyed,” Ray noted.
As the number of missing Indian tourists continues to rise, rescue and relief teams are persistently working to locate those who are unaccounted for. Further updates regarding the status of the two tourists from Khordha are anticipated.
