Tamil Nadu Chief Minister C Joseph Vijay has deputed four state ministers to New Delhi to coordinate with the Centre on rescue and relief operations in flood-hit Nepal, where at least 83 people from Tamil Nadu and three from Puducherry remain unaccounted for. The state government has stepped up efforts to trace the missing pilgrims and facilitate the safe return of those rescued. Making a detailed statement in the Tamil Nadu Assembly on Thursday, School Education Minister Raj Mohan said 106 pilgrims from Tamil Nadu and Puducherry had travelled to Nepal.

Of these, 103 were from 10 districts of Tamil Nadu, including Thanjavur, Mayiladuthurai, Tiruvannamalai and Chennai, while three pilgrims were from neighbouring Puducherry. The government said the situation became critical after avalanche-triggered floods affected a bus carrying pilgrims in Nepal. Twenty passengers travelling in the bus were rescued safely after taking refuge at a reserve police camp. They were provided shelter and medical assistance while authorities worked to determine a safe route for their onward movement.

Raj Mohan said arrangements were being made to move the rescued passengers to Kathmandu through an alternative route. The government is coordinating with authorities in Nepal to ensure that those who have been rescued receive necessary assistance and are able to continue their journey to the Nepalese capital. The Tamil Nadu government is now primarily focused on establishing contact with the remaining 86 pilgrims who have been reported missing. The group includes 83 people from Tamil Nadu and three from Puducherry.

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Officials are working to establish their locations and gather information on their safety as communication and transportation networks have been affected by the flooding and related disruptions in Nepal. The minister said the state government was working closely with the Ministry of External Affairs and the Indian Embassy in Nepal as part of the search and rescue efforts. The deployment of four ministers to New Delhi is aimed at strengthening coordination with the Centre and ensuring that information and assistance can be exchanged quickly as the situation develops.

The developments have prompted the Tamil Nadu government to closely monitor the rescue operation and coordinate efforts at multiple levels. With dozens of pilgrims still unaccounted for, authorities are seeking updated information from Nepalese officials and Indian diplomatic representatives. The immediate priority remains locating the missing pilgrims, ensuring the safety of those stranded and arranging transportation for those who have already been rescued.

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