Maharashtra citizens and pilgrims evacuated from Nepal after flash floods and communication breakdowns

Remaining 46 expected Wednesday; families of untraceable pilgrims continue to wait anxiously as search efforts intensify

Mumbai: As many as 69 citizens from Maharashtra, who were stranded amid the disaster in Nepal and adjoining areas, crossed the China-Nepal border through the Kodari Immigration Centre late Saturday evening and entered Nepal. According to the state government, they are expected to reach Mumbai by August 31.The State Emergency Operations Centre (SEOC) has registered information about 404 Maharashtra citizens affected by the disaster. Of these, 262 tourists from the state were still stranded in Nepal or China. With the safe evacuation of the latest group of 69 citizens, the state has so far facilitated the return of 142 people.The evacuation efforts are being carried out under the active follow-up of Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis and the guidance of Disaster Management Minister Girish Mahajan. The SEOC is coordinating efforts to provide assistance and facilitate the safe return of Maharashtra residents and tourists stranded in disaster-hit areas.Nepal Headmaster Saves 1,643 Children Minutes Before School Is Swept Away By Flash Floods; Internet Salutes Him Following the floods in Nepal, the SEOC has been coordinating with the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) control room and sharing information about Maharashtra residents and tourists who had travelled to affected areas of Nepal, Tibet and China. Based on the information received, rescue teams are being deployed at various affected locations to trace and assist stranded citizens.Principal Secretary of the Disaster Management Department Vinita Ved Singal and Director Bhalchandra Chavan are closely monitoring the ongoing operations.The state administration is continuously verifying information about stranded citizens through district-level authorities and maintaining regular coordination with travel agencies and the families of affected persons. A 24x7 response mechanism has also been activated through the helpline.An Integrated Control Room is coordinating with the Emergency Response Control Room in New Delhi, the MEA control room and Maharashtra Sadan in New Delhi, ensuring that updated information about stranded citizens is shared with the concerned authorities.Nepal Flash Floods: Manisha Koirala Urges India & China To Unite With Nepal, Says 'We Are Facing The Brunt Of Global Warming' The state government has also developed a web-based link to collect information about citizens stranded in Nepal, Tibet and China. The link has been shared with all district administrations and publicised through various media platforms. Information received through the link is being compiled and verified by the SEOC.The state authorities said coordination with both Central and state government agencies, district administrations, travel agencies and relatives would continue round the clock until all stranded Maharashtra citizens are safely brought back.Maharashtra State Emergency Operations Centre helpline: 1070.To get details on exclusive and budget-friendly property deals in Mumbai & surrounding regions, do visit: https://budgetproperties.in/

Mumbai: After days of uncertainty, landslides and disrupted communication, Maharashtra pilgrims stranded in Nepal while returning from the Kailash Mansarovar Yatra finally reached home, with several groups making their way back through difficult and circuitous routes.Pune Pilgrim Recalls Fear Amid Communication BlackoutSmita Pradeep Pawar, a Pune resident, was among four Maharashtra pilgrims who were stranded at Kerung (Gyirong) while returning from the pilgrimage. Following coordinated efforts from Maharashtra Chief minister, disaster management office, the four along with several others returned to Maharashtra from Kathmandu on Saturday.“We had started from Mumbai on August 16 for the Mansarovar pilgrimage. On the way back, we got to know about the situation. Saga was quite different the day earlier. We had no access to the internet, so we and our family members were all scared,” Pawar said.37 Maharashtra Pilgrims Rescued From Affected RegionThe four were among 37 Maharashtra pilgrims stranded in the region who were brought to safety and moved towards Kathmandu.For Mumbai resident Aarti Sharma, the journey involved navigating landslides and changing modes of transport. The group had left on August 17, travelling from Kathmandu to Saga before heading towards Mansarovar.Senior Citizens Fell Ill During Difficult Route“There was a way next to the river and we came across three landslides. We had senior citizens with us as well who fell sick and had to be rushed to the hospital,” Sharma said.After reaching Mansarovar, the situation worsened, she said. “We travelled through different modes of transport and reached Kathmandu.”Nearly 100 Maharashtra Pilgrims Return Via Bihar RouteAnother group of nearly 100 Maharashtra pilgrims made its way into India through Bihar. They reached Patna and boarded a train to Nagpur, with the Maharashtra Chief Minister’s Office assisting with their onward journey to their respective homes.For families in the Mumbai Metropolitan Region, the ordeal was also marked by days of uncertainty.Thane Family Struggled To Contact Missing PilgrimThane resident Sanjay Patankar’s brother Satish, who was travelling in Nepal with his wife, has now safely returned home. Sanjay said the family initially struggled to establish contact after the floods because of the lack of communication networks outside Kathmandu.“We contacted the local office of the ‘Hills and Trails’ travel group. Mr Charuhas Joshi told us that he had also heard about the situation, but did not have specific information because there was no communication network in the area,” he said.FIR Filed Against Mamata Banerjee Over Alleged Violation Of Calcutta HC Order During TMC Students’ Wing RallyThe experience has prompted the family to call for better systems to track pilgrims. “We are working on preparing a missing persons list and ensuring that proper identification and other details are available for each person. We should create a standard template and make it compulsory for everyone undertaking such journeys to provide these details,” Sanjay said.The flash floods that struck Nepal on August 26 damaged roads and bridges and disrupted connectivity, leaving tourists and pilgrims stranded in several areas. Rescue and evacuation operations were launched as authorities worked to reopen routes and move stranded travellers to safety.For the Maharashtra pilgrims, what began as a pilgrimage ended with a journey through landslides, roadblocks, multiple modes of transport and uncertain communication — before they could finally make their way home.To get details on exclusive and budget-friendly property deals in Mumbai & surrounding regions, do visit: https://budgetproperties.in/

Mumbai, August 29, 2026: Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis said on Saturday that government agencies are working round-the-clock to assist and evacuate tourists and residents from the state stranded in Nepal following severe flooding.He has issued strict instructions to authorities to maintain high vigilance and coordinate travel logistics to ensure the safe return of all affected individuals to their hometowns.Current data indicates that 404 citizens from the state are verified safe, while 338 individuals have been successfully contacted.मुख्यमंत्री देवेंद्र फडणवीस यांच्या प्रयत्नांमुळे नेपाळमध्ये अडकलेले भाविक सुखरूप नागपुरातनेपाळमध्ये अडकलेल्या महाराष्ट्रातील भाविकांच्या सुरक्षित परतीसाठी मुख्यमंत्री देवेंद्र फडणवीस यांनी केलेल्या प्रयत्नांमुळे आणि सातत्यपूर्ण समन्वयामुळे सर्व भाविक सुखरूप भारतात परतले. हे… pic.twitter.com/0W1UWFbuTl— CMO Maharashtra (@CMOMaharashtra) August 29, 2026Tourists Returning To MaharashtraAccording to official updates, 41 people returned from Nepal's Saga on Saturday, while 106 citizens are scheduled to arrive in Nagpur at 4.30 am on Sunday.Nearly 143 residents are currently on their way to the state.In response to the crisis, helpline numbers have been launched, and the 24/7 Disaster Management Control Room at the Mantralaya is actively coordinating relief and assistance operations.A group of 45 tourists from Nashik, Pune, Mumbai, and Ahilyanagar -- who travelled to Nepal via a tour operator based in Ahilyanagar's Sangamner -- have safely re-entered Indian territory.The group was in Nepal's Chitwan during the flood outbreak."Due to road closures heading toward Kathmandu, they were re-routed through Lumbini in Nepal, and are expected to reach Ayodhya on Saturday. Further travel arrangements will follow state directives," the government statement said.State Coordinates Rescue EffortsUnder the direction of Maharashtra Disaster Management Minister Girish Mahajan, the state government and the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) are actively providing necessary relief.The Ministry of External Affairs released a list late on August 28 detailing 149 Indian tourists who safely entered Nepal from China.State officials have been instructed to verify and compile details of residents belonging to Maharashtra districts to facilitate their safe return.Following the immediate intervention of CM Fadnavis, buses and necessary transport services have been deployed to bring the tourists back.A group of 106 individuals from Nagpur began their journey home today via Bihar, the statement said.Efforts To Trace Stranded TouristsAuthorities are tracking information regarding eight tourists from Borivali and Andheri currently stranded in Nepal. Efforts to reach Laxminarayan Acharya from Andheri and others in this group via mobile network have faced connectivity disruptions.Officials remain in active communication with their relatives in Mumbai while continuing rescue and contact efforts.Also Watch: Two Sisters Stuck In Nepal Flash Floods Found Safe In Pokhara; Anxious Wait Continues For Five MP Families | VIDEOMeanwhile, the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation Emergency Operations Centre (BMC EOC) reported receiving no distress calls regarding residents from Mumbai City or Mumbai Suburban districts so far.(Disclaimer: Except for the headline, this article has not been edited by FPJ's editorial team and is auto-generated from an agency feed.)

Mira-Bhayandar, August 29, 2026: The Maharashtra government has initiated the process of gathering information on state residents and tourists stranded in Nepal following severe flooding in the region. In light of the situation, the Mira-Bhayandar, Vasai-Virar (MBVV) Police Commissionerate has urged local families to register details of any missing relatives on the helpline portal issued by the state government.Flooding Leaves Pilgrims Unaccounted ForDisastrous flooding along the Nepal-Tibet border has caused widespread destruction, snapping communication with nearly 400 pilgrims. Among those unaccounted for are 105 Indian citizens and 37 Non-Resident Indians (NRIs) who were on the Kailash Mansarovar Yatra. Authorities suspect that several residents from Maharashtra may be among the stranded pilgrims.Registration And Helpline DetailsTo trace affected citizens and streamline relief efforts, the Maharashtra State Disaster Management Authority has released a dedicated online registration link and emergency helpline number. The MBVV police have specifically appealed to residents of Mira-Bhayandar and Vasai-Virar who are unable to contact family members or tourists in Nepal to submit their details immediately to the state control room helpline.Also Watch: Maharashtra Govt Examines Earned Leave Proposal For Teachers Assigned Census And BLO Duties During VacationsRequired Details For Registration● Personal Identification: Full name, passport number, mobile/WhatsApp number, local address, and district in Maharashtra.● Location & Status: Current country, city, physical address, live GPS location, and visa details.● Group & Emergency Info: Number of co-travellers accompanying the person, nearest available airport, and any urgent medical conditions or healthcare requirements.To get details on exclusive and budget-friendly property deals in Mumbai & surrounding regions, do visit: https://budgetproperties.in/

Mumbai: A group of Maharashtra residents who were stranded in flood-affected areas of Nepal has safely returned to India and is now on its way back to the state, the Chief Minister’s Office (CMO) said. The Maharashtra citizens, who were caught in the flood-ravaged regions of Nepal amid the difficult conditions, were evacuated following coordinated efforts by the authorities. After reaching India safely, they interacted with Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis through a video call and expressed their gratitude to the state government for its prompt intervention and assistance.According to the CMO, the citizens thanked the Government of Maharashtra and the Chief Minister’s Office for their swift response, coordination and continued efforts to facilitate their safe return. During the virtual interaction, they also shared their relief at being back in India after being stranded in Nepal.The Maharashtra citizens who were stranded in the flood-affected areas of Nepal have safely returned to India and are now on their way back to Maharashtra.During a video call with CM Devendra Fadnavis, they expressed their gratitude to the Government of Maharashtra and the CM's… pic.twitter.com/caDO42AWnO— CMO Maharashtra (@CMOMaharashtra) August 28, 2026 Speaking to the stranded citizens after their safe return, Chief Minister Fadnavis said their timely evacuation and return had been facilitated by the efforts of Prime Minister Narendra Modi and External Affairs Minister Dr S. Jaishankar. He said the Centre ensured that immediate assistance reached the affected citizens and that necessary arrangements were made for their safe movement.The CMO Maharashtra said in a post on X that the citizens had safely returned to India and were proceeding towards Maharashtra. The office also highlighted the coordination between the state government and authorities involved in the evacuation process.Maharashtra Steps Up Rescue Efforts To Bring Back Tourists Stranded In Nepal And China’s Saga Amid Route Disruptions Earlier, on August 27, Chief Minister Fadnavis had spoken to Maharashtra residents stranded in Nepal and assured them that the state government would make every possible effort to ensure their safe return.In a post on X, the CMO said that all 106 passengers from Nagpur had safely departed from Kathmandu for Danapur in Bihar. Following a phone call from Fadnavis, Nepal MP Sandeep Rana arranged four local mini-buses to facilitate the passengers’ journey from Kathmandu to Janakpur.The passengers were expected to reach the Janakpur-Bihar border the following morning, after which buses had been arranged to take them to Danapur. Their onward return journey by train had also been arranged.(Except for the headline, this article has not been edited by FPJ's editorial team and is auto-generated from an agency feed.)To get details on exclusive and budget-friendly property deals in Mumbai & surrounding regions, do visit: https://budgetproperties.in/