Seventeen individuals from Karnataka remain unaccounted for in Nepal, which is grappling with the aftermath of severe floods and landslides, Chief Minister D.K. Shivakumar confirmed on Thursday in New Delhi. The state government has intensified its efforts to locate and assist Kannadigas stranded in the Himalayan nation.
Addressing reporters in the national capital, Shivakumar stated, "We are tracing people… many are not tracked. Seventeen persons' information we need to get; it is not available." He explained that while authorities have pinpointed the locations of some Karnataka residents who traveled to Nepal, the whereabouts of many others are still unknown. The Chief Minister assured the public that his administration is working "24×7" and specific details of the untraced individuals would be released shortly, adding that a few are already in contact with their families.
The Karnataka government is coordinating rescue and evacuation efforts through Karnataka Bhavan in both New Delhi and Bengaluru, maintaining constant communication with Union Ministers. Shivakumar emphasized that operating independently in a foreign country is not feasible, necessitating close coordination with relevant authorities to facilitate the safe return of stranded Kannadigas. "We will work in coordination. We will unitedly take up the work of bringing them back to the state," he affirmed.
Adding a personal dimension to the crisis, Shivakumar revealed he had spoken with Mallinath, a resident of Kalaburagi district, who miraculously survived the devastating floods. Mallinath recounted his harrowing experience to the Chief Minister over the phone, stating, "Sir, you can't imagine. If we have survived and come back, we can't explain it in words." He described how two buses, traveling merely ten minutes ahead of his own, had vanished. Upon inquiry from the Chief Minister, Mallinath clarified that all tourists in those missing vehicles were from West Bengal, not Karnataka. Despite staying in Kathmandu for three days, Mallinath confirmed he had not encountered any other Kannadigas.
Shivakumar advised Mallinath to prioritize safety and avoid hasty decisions, counsel the survivor readily accepted, noting his narrow escape the previous day. The conversation also touched upon their differing political allegiances, with Mallinath expressing admiration for Shivakumar's approach. The Chief Minister responded by underscoring that all residents from Karnataka stand united as Kannadigas, irrespective of political affiliations. The state government continues to collaborate with central authorities and diplomatic channels to trace the unaccounted for and ensure the safe repatriation of its citizens.
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📰 Source: Mangalorean News