Heavy monsoon rains triggered flash floods in Nepal's eastern districts, stranding dozens of Indian pilgrims returning from a religious tour. Indian embassy officials, in coordination with Nepalese disaster agencies, launched a joint rescue operation that freed 21 travelers from Tamil Nadu after they were trapped for two days.
Upon landing in Delhi, the group was received by External Affairs Minister Dr. S. Jaishankar, who praised the swift cross‑border response and assured the pilgrims of full consular support. The minister highlighted India’s commitment to safeguarding its citizens abroad and pledged assistance for any medical or logistical needs.
ALSO READ | India and ASEAN Nations Chart Scalable Agricultural Cooperation at Summit
The incident underscores the robust India‑Nepal cooperation framework for disaster relief, while also prompting calls for enhanced safety protocols for pilgrim tours in flood‑prone regions. Authorities in Tamil Nadu are reviewing travel advisories and emergency preparedness measures for future religious trips.
