Vijay added that the state was taking swift action to gather information through the Ministry of External Affairs and the Indian Embassy in Nepal and ensure the tourists’ safety.
Thanjavur Collector R Revathi said officials had accounted for 20 of the 57 tourists from the district who were believed to be in the affected area.
“We do not know what is happening with the rest for now; we are awaiting more information,” Revathi told PTI.
Of those accounted for, 11 are women, according to officials.
Meanwhile, Chennai Central MP Dayanidhi Maran sought the urgent intervention of External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar to rescue and safely repatriate Indian tourists stranded or missing in the floods.
In an official communication, Maran, “writing under the guidance of DMK President M K Stalin”, drew attention to the “grave situation” in Nepal.
“Reports indicate that several people have lost their lives and many others, including nearly 50 tourists from Tamil Nadu, remain missing, while rescue operations are being severely hampered by the difficult terrain and continuing flood conditions,” Maran said.
He said the disaster had caused extensive destruction, washing away roads, bridges and other critical infrastructure and severely disrupting communication and transport networks.
Maran said the rapidly evolving situation had caused “considerable anxiety” among the families of tourists in Tamil Nadu.
He urged the External Affairs Ministry to take all possible measures to locate, rescue and safeguard those affected and asked for directions to be issued to the Indian embassy in Nepal and rescue teams to facilitate the safe return of stranded Indians.
Local media reports said the Nepal Tourism Board, Tourist Police and tourism stakeholders were working to verify the whereabouts and safety of people who were in or travelling through the affected areas.
36-member Keralam team in Nepal safe
A team of 36 people from Keralam touring Nepal was safe and away from the areas affected by the devastating flash floods, a government source said here on Wednesday.
The Chief Minister’s Office was in constant touch with the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) for updates on Indians reportedly missing after the disaster, the source said.
“We could speak to the members of the 36-member team currently touring Nepal. They are safe and away from the areas hit by the flash flood. We are also checking with the MEA to find out whether any person from Keralam is among those reported missing,” the source said.
Keralam Chief Minister V D Satheesan said that the state government was closely monitoring the situation in Nepal.
India coordinates rescue efforts
The Embassy of India in Kathmandu is coordinating with the Nepalese government on rescue and relief efforts for Indian nationals affected by the floods, the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) said.
“Embassy of India in Nepal is closely coordinating with Government of Nepal for the early rescue and relief of Indian nationals affected by today’s flash floods in Nepal,” MEA spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal posted on X.
The embassy earlier issued emergency numbers for those seeking assistance or information about affected Indian nationals. People can contact +977 985 131 6807 or +977 970 910 7500.
In a separate post, the embassy said it has “remained engaged with the relevant authorities of Government of Nepal for early rescue and relief for Indian nationals affected by the flash floods that took place in Nepal today. Rescue and relief efforts continue to be strengthened in coordination with the Government of Nepal. @MEAIndia”.
The NTB has also issued helplines, including toll-free emergency number 1234, hotline 1144 and Tourist Police number 9851289445.
(With inputs from PTI)