Mumbai: Approximately 300 tourists from Maharashtra have been affected by the flash floods that ravaged Nepal on Aug 26.Figures released by State Emergency Operation Centre (SEOC) said at least 114 citizens from the state are reported to be stranded. Of these, 53 have been confirmed safe in the Saga–Mansarovar sector, while over 60 are untraced and belong to a group tour led by Mumbai-based Richa Tours.In addition, around 150 people are at Mansarovar and are reported safe.Casting a cloud over the scenario, around 66 pilgrims among a batch of Kailash-Mansarovar yatris who departed Aug 23, most from Mumbai and the rest from elsewhere in Maharashtra, remained untraced on Thursday.The passenger manifest accessed by TOI lists 66 people travelling in three buses, with 22 names in each bus. The list comprises people from Mumbai, Pune and some places in south India. The tour was led by Andheri-based Dr Milind Chitley.Another 150 tourists from Maharashtra were reported to have reached safety towards the Tibet side, according to information collected by the state disaster management authority. In varying figures, officials also said that 49 people from Maharashtra who were part of another group of 61 tourists were safe.State authorities also established contact with four of seven tourists from Maharashtra identified so far — two from Mumbai and two from Pune — and confirmed them safe. Three others remained uncontactable.The state govt activated a 24/7 emergency control room to trace citizens and coordinate rescue operations with central authorities.Details collected through an app link helped the state disaster management authority identify stranded tourists from the state, track their locations and assess their status, enabling officials to coordinate with central govt for their safe return. They sent the app link to tourists through family members and local authorities. The collected locations were monitored on screens at the disaster control room in Mantralaya.For families unable to contact their loved ones, the disaster control room became a key source of information. Relatives called the control room or approached officials through other govt channels to seek updates on the whereabouts and safety of their family members.Officials said some callers became frustrated and emotional because of the lack of communication facilities and difficult conditions in the areas where their relatives were stranded. However, control-room personnel patiently listened to their concerns and provided whatever information was available. “We understand their anxiety, but there is little we can do from here when they are in a foreign country. All we can do is listen to them patiently and provide whatever assistance and information is available,” an official said.Meanwhile, trip organiser Richa Tours issued a statement to say the sudden deluge destroyed the border post complex completely. At the time, the location housed Dr Milind Chitley’s group along with 60 Indians, five US nationals, two New Zealand citizens and 12 supporting staff members, alongside approximately 500 other pilgrims.
