Update
“Rescue operation is over in Nepal. Nearly, 700 Kannadigas have been evacuated. Now, there is no one left in Nepal. Besides, we continued our operations today as well in a hope if anyone is left there, but there was no one today from the state. Two of the state officials have also returned today from Nepal. There is no report of missing or loss of death from the state,” Ritesh Kumar Singh, Secretary, Disaster Management Cell told News Karnataka.
Earlier report
Bengaluru: Even as the IAF evacuated 1935 Indians from Khatmandu within three days after a massive earthquake rocked the mountain landlocked kingdom of Nepal through the aerial route, tempers have been running high, as thousands of stranded Indians jostled with each other to get on-board one of the 100 buses leaving from quake-hit Nepal, anxious to return home.
“Among the rescued, 175 have safely returned to the state,’ confirms Karnataka Bhavan, New Delhi.
“There were nearly 800-900 state tourists in Nepal, and nearly 200 people from the state are still stuck there, whereas around 300-400 people have independently returned to the country”, a state official deputed to Nepal, told News Karnataka.
Two state officials have been deployed in Nepal and operations are on in full swing to rescue the people who are stuck or missing.
Land route preferred
Due to bad weather and other local issues, most tourists are coming back to the country by the land route rather than an air route.
The officials said that drop off point will be provided at towns closer to the border, including Varanasi and Gorakhpur. Three officers have been deployed at each of the places.
However, many who had returned from the earth-quake hit Nepal, has again started their pilgrim trip or touring in the country at Varanasi and Ayodhya, an official said.
As of now, there is no confirmed report of missing or loss of life from the state. However, concerned citizens and families of those in Nepal can reach for the state’s help on the dedicated toll free number of the state’s control room, people can reach at 1070.
“Tension was indescribable”
Nagendra Rao, a tourist from the Mandya District was a witness to the tragedy that is Nepal which he described to News Karnataka,”Nepal has been extremely devastated. I cannot forget the tension that gripped all of us after this tragic earth-quake shook Nepal. We were a group of 35 members, on a tour to Nepal. All of us have returned safely to the state.”
“We were at the Buddhist temple in Nepal, when this tragic earthquake occurred. We immediately decided to go back to India. When we reached Kathmandu airport, Indian embassy were already there, they helped us and arranged flights. First, preference was given to senior citizens, while I and others came back on the next day,” said the lucky Nagendra Rao.
Explaining the tragedy that is Nepal, post quake, he said, “I saw debris, collapsed walls and destruction. There was no phone connection, no food. Even, we didn’t get to eat anything for lunch and dinner.”
Evacuation arrangments
Several pick up areas have been set up in Kathmandu including a spot opposite Pashupatinath and Kalanki temples, from where Indians can board buses to head back home.
At least five buses, carrying hundreds of Indians, left for Gorakhpur in Uttar Pradesh on Tuesday morning. Another batch which was also scheduled to leave for Bihar on Tuesday, will now leave a day later.
