Chennai, Aug 29:
Twenty-one Tamil Nadu pilgrims rescued from the devastating flash floods in Nepal arrived at Chennai airport late Friday night to an emotional reception, even as the state government intensified efforts to establish the whereabouts of the remaining travellers from the state.
Water Resources Minister Anand received the rescued pilgrims at the airport and said concerted efforts were continuing to trace the remaining 85 people among the 106 Tamil Nadu tourists who had travelled to Nepal.
The 21 pilgrims were part of a larger group of 57 people, including three from Puducherry, who had travelled from Kumbakonam for the Kailash Manasarovar Yatra.
They were caught in the flash floods and were subsequently rescued and taken to an Army camp.
The pilgrims described their experience as terrifying, saying they had escaped narrowly from the disaster. Several of them described their survival as a “rebirth”.
After being evacuated from the affected area, they were transported to Kathmandu and later flown to New Delhi on an IndiGo flight.
From Delhi, they met External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar and thanked him for the assistance extended by the Centre and the Indian Embassy in Nepal.
The pilgrims later reached Tamil Nadu House in Delhi, where state Ministers camping in the national capital helped facilitate their onward journey to Chennai.
Receiving them at the airport, Minister Anand thanked the Union government, the External Affairs Ministry and the Indian Embassy in Nepal for their cooperation in bringing the pilgrims back safely.
He said the state government was continuing its efforts to locate the remaining travellers and ensure their safe return to Tamil Nadu.
The rescued pilgrims expressed gratitude to both the state and Central governments for the swift evacuation arrangements.
After the airport reception, arrangements were made to send the pilgrims to their respective native places.
The government is continuing efforts to contact and trace the remaining Tamil Nadu tourists, many of whom have reportedly remained unreachable following the floods.