Chennai: Tamil Nadu has intensified efforts to trace 86 people who remain unaccounted for after devastating floods in Nepal, with the state government deputing four ministers to New Delhi to coordinate rescue and relief operations with the Centre.

A total of 106 people from Tamil Nadu and Puducherry had travelled to Nepal. Of them, 103 were from 10 districts of Tamil Nadu, while three were from Puducherry.

20 people rescued after bus was hit

School Education Minister Raj Mohan told the Tamil Nadu Assembly that the group was travelling in a convoy of three buses when the second vehicle was struck by floodwaters triggered by an avalanche.

All 20 passengers travelling in the affected bus were rescued and taken to a reserve police camp, where they were provided shelter and medical assistance. Efforts are under way to move them to Kathmandu through an alternative route.

Families wait for news of 86 missing

The Tamil Nadu government is working with the Ministry of External Affairs and the Indian Embassy in Nepal to establish the whereabouts of the 86 people who remain missing.

Two travel agencies had organised the journey. Thanjavur-based Super Yathirai Agency arranged travel for 57 people, including the three from Puducherry, while Chennai-based Mahadev Kailash Yathirai organised the trip for 49 people.

Authorities said there was still no information about the 49 people who travelled through the Chennai-based agency, with search and rescue efforts continuing.

Ministers head to Delhi to coordinate efforts

Following a review meeting chaired by Chief Minister C Joseph Vijay, four ministers, including Aadhav Arjuna, were directed to travel to New Delhi to coordinate with the Centre on rescue and relief operations.

Tamil Nadu’s Resident Commissioner in Delhi, Ashish Kumar, will lead an official team to Nepal to oversee the rescue and relief efforts.

The state government has assured that every possible effort will be made to trace those still missing and bring them home safely. Medical and emergency support will also be provided to those who have already been rescued.