Narrow escape from Nepal flash floods; 31-member Malayali team reaches home town

KOCHI: A 31-member Malayali team who escaped from the flash floods in Nepal reached their hometown early Sunday morning. The passengers, who had gone to Nepal on a travel package from Kochi, arrived in Nedumbassery. They are in shock after witnessing the disaster directly. A group from Kannur will also return home this afternoon.

Even as Nepal’s flash floods enter the fifth day today, 287 Indians including eight Malayalees are still to be traced. 128 Indians including those who went on Manasarovar pilgrimage from the Coimbatore Isha Foundation, are also missing. Unofficial reports say that over 3,000 people are yet to be found. 933 workers who worked in the power project areas also need to be found. There is growing suspicion that more Indian workers are trapped in the tunnel in the Trishuli power project area. Two teams specializing in tunnel rescue have arrived from India and started the search.

Four Indians were rescued from the Rasua hydroelectric project area yesterday. A total of 88 Indians has been rescued, said External Affairs Ministry spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal. It was a relief that 120 Indians stranded on the Chinese side have reached Nepal. Unofficial reports say that 704 bodies have been recovered. The death toll is likely to rise.