AP CM Naidu directs officials to trace missing persons stranded in Nepal floods
Amaravati, Aug 27 (TNT): Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu on Thursday directed officials to coordinate with the Centre and Indian diplomatic missions to ensure the safety and safe return of people from the state stranded in Nepal following floods.
Reviewing the situation with officials, Naidu directed them to continuously track the whereabouts of persons whose details were not known and keep their families informed without delay.
He asked officials to maintain constant coordination with the Central government and Indian diplomatic missions and take steps for evacuation through alternative routes wherever necessary, besides working towards restoration of road and air connectivity.
The Chief Minister said bringing Andhra Pradesh residents stranded in Nepal safely back to their native places should be the top priority.
He directed all concerned departments to work in close coordination, continuously monitor the situation and keep him updated.
Officials informed Naidu that several pilgrims from Andhra Pradesh who had travelled to Mansarovar were stranded in Nepal and efforts were being made to ascertain their safety and whereabouts.
So far, 41 persons from Andhra Pradesh have been identified as stranded in Nepal, while the whereabouts of seven others were yet to be ascertained, officials said.
Four persons from the Kurnool-Adoni region were safe in Tibet and had been contacted, while 28 pilgrims from the Tirupati region were safe in Kathmandu and had been contacted through the Real-Time Governance Society (RTGS).
Seven persons from Chittoor, Vijayawada, Kakinada and Guntur were currently untraceable, officials said. Two others were reported to be safe with the Isha Foundation.
Officials said families of the affected persons were being provided regular updates.
A control room has been set up at AP Bhavan in New Delhi to monitor the situation. Regular coordination was being maintained with the Central government and Indian embassies in Kathmandu and China, they said.
TNT KM
