BENGALURU: A day after the state government swung into action to provide assistance to around 250 pilgrims from the state stuck in Simikot and Hilsa in Nepal, a control room was set up in New Delhi in the Karnataka Bhavan to coordinate the return of the pilgrims to their hometowns.
Air evacuation of those stuck in Simikot, on their way back from the Kailash Manasarovar Yatra, began on Tuesday with 7 commercial flights landing at the isolated town to evacuate 104 pilgrims to Nepalgunj. However, due to bad weather, an evacuation was stalled later in the evening.
According to a statement by the Indian Embassy in Nepal, around 150 stranded pilgrims have been brought to Simikot from Hilsa and the Nepal army was also on standby with a helicopter should the need for emergency evacuation arise. Two pilgrims, from Kerala and Andhra Pradesh, have succumbed so far and special helicopters were operated to bring the bodies home. "The situation continues to be under control and there is no need to panic. In case weather continues to improve, the Embassy is confident to evacuate all stranded pilgrims over the next three-four days," the statement said.
Sources in the Karnataka Bhavan said pilgrims from the state will also be evacuated from Nepalgunj to Lucknow, which is a 3-hour drive away and from there they could make their way back home. All pilgrims from the state are in good health, the official added. Around 50 tourists are believed to be from Mandya and surrounding districts.
The control room is also coordinating calls from panicked relatives and assuring them of the action being taken for the evacuation of the pilgrims.
Rainfall
Speaking in the Legislative Assembly, Revenue Minister R V Deshpande said that heavy rainfall has delayed the rescue of Karnataka pilgrims. “250 of the525 pilgrims are from Karnataka. We are in contact with them via Ministry of Defence and Ministry of External Affairs. Despite efforts, heavy rainfall has delayed the rescue. In terms of emergencies, military helicopters are being used for rescue efforts," he said.
