Amaravati, Aug 27 (IANS) The Andhra Pradesh government was on high alert over the flash flood situation in Nepal and was gathering information to determine whether any residents or pilgrims from the state were stranded in the disaster zone.

Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu has directed officials to identify state residents stranded in the Nepal floods and take measures to move them to safety.

Officials said that the state government is coordinating with the Central government.

A control room has been set up at Andhra Pradesh Bhavan in Delhi. The phone numbers of the control room are 011-23384016, 011-23387089; WhatsApp: 9059824101

The Chief Minister has directed that assistance be provided to affected pilgrims through continuous monitoring by the Real-Time Governance (RTG) wing.

Meanwhile, the Andhra Pradesh Bhavan has asked all stranded passengers/pilgrims in Nepal to remain calm and immediately seek assistance.

It has shared emergency contact numbers of Nepal Army, Police and other authorities. The stranded people have been asked to provide their name, passport number, exact location, contact number, persons stranded, medical needs and last known location.

Those stranded have been advised to stay at elevated safe places, keep phones charged, avoid floodwaters and follow evacuation instructions.

According to AP Bhavan, at least 95 bodies have reportedly been recovered from the Trishuli River, with hundreds still missing.

More than 400 tourists are reportedly unaccounted for, including approximately 130 Indians and 47 Americans.

Syapru Besi and Timure, important transit/acclimatisation points for Kailash Mansarovar pilgrims, have been severely affected by the flash floods

Initial reports indicate an ice-rock avalanche in the Lhende River, rather than rainfall, triggered the sudden flooding.

Nepal Army, Police and paramilitary forces are conducting rescue operations.

India has extended 10 tonnes of humanitarian assistance to Nepal to support relief operations after devastating floods struck the Himalayan nation. India’s Ambassador to Nepal, Naveen Srivastava, formally handed over the aid consignment to Nepal’s Minister of Culture, Tourism and Civil Aviation, Khadak Raj Paudel. The assistance includes essential relief materials to help communities affected by widespread flooding and landslides.

As the situation remains fluid, stranded persons have been advised to remain in safe locations and maintain contact with their embassies.

–IANS

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