ITANAGAR, 27 Aug: The Government of Arunachal Pradesh (GoAP) on Thursday directed all deputy commissioners to submit details of persons from their respective districts who may have travelled to Nepal and gone missing in the devastating flash flood there.
The exercise has been initiated following an urgent request from the National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA), which sought the details of persons who may have lost contact with their families after the disaster, an official notification said here.
The Arunachal government has asked the deputy commissioners to collect and compile the names and contact details of the state's residents missing in Nepal from their respective districts, so that efforts can be made to establish contact with their families and extend assistance.
The consolidated information will be shared with the authorities concerned for further action, an official communication issued by the Department of Disaster Management said.
The flash flood, triggered by a massive collapse of ice, rock and debris in the Himalayan region along the Nepal-Tibet border, has caused widespread devastation, sweeping away homes and damaging villages, roads, bridges and other infrastructure.
At least 357 people have been reported dead in Nepal, while hundreds of others, including foreign tourists, remain missing.
Tuki expresses grief over loss of lives
Meanwhile, former chief minister Nabam Tuki expressed profound grief over the loss of lives and damages caused by the catastrophic flash flood and landslides triggered across the Nepal-Tibet Himalayan region.
In a condolence message, Tuki said that the sudden loss of lives, the devastation of local communities and the heartbreaking toll on families across borders is a monumental tragedy.
"My heart goes out to the people of Nepal and to the families of all international tourists and pilgrims from India who lost their lives or remain missing. Living in the shared Himalayan ecosystem, the people of Arunachal Pradesh stand in unwavering solidarity with Nepal and every nation mourning the loss of their citizens," the message read.
Tuki conveyed heartfelt condolence to the bereaved families during this painful time.
"I pray for the swift recovery of the injured, the safe return of the missing persons, and for fortitude and solace to all those grieving this irreparable loss," Tuki said in his message. (With PTI input)
