New Delhi/Chennai, Aug 28 (PTI) The survival of 21 pilgrims from Tamil Nadu in the catastrophic floods in Nepal is nothing short of a “miracle” and despite their emotional trauma, the group displayed incredible willpower, state minister A Rajmohan said on Friday.
Lauding the pilgrims for their resilience, he said “despite severe emotional trauma, they demonstrated incredible willpower, trekking up treacherous, damaged terrain to reach safely with the assistance of the army.” Detailing the terrifying ordeal faced by 57 persons from Tamil Nadu and Puducherry, of whom 21 have been rescued and brought to the national capital, the School Education Minister told reporters in Delhi that the group was travelling in three vehicles and the rescued were in the second vehicle.
Briefing reporters at the Tamil Nadu House, Rajmohan said many among the rescued lost their passports, identification and personal belonging in the disaster and the state government is assisting the survivors with essential needs, including travel documents, medical support, and transportation back to their respective homes.
Authorities were continuing to gather information on smaller groups of tourists to ensure no one is left behind, he said.
A dedicated reception team in Chennai is handling medical care, emergency travel documentation, and direct transportation to safely return survivors to their hometowns.
Following instructions from Chief Minister C Joseph Vijay, the Tamil Nadu government has activated a 24/7 control room at Tamil Nadu House in New Delhi. State officials are coordinating directly with the Ministry of External Affairs and the Foreign Secretary to accelerate search and rescue operations for the remaining missing citizens, Rajmohan said.
He said the rescue operations faced severe obstacles on the ground. “Broken bridges, destroyed roadways, and collapsed communication infrastructure have severely hindered real-time reporting,” he said.
Officials also warned of potential “secondary waves” of landslides and flooding, which could force temporary pauses in aerial and ground rescue missions.
Rajmohan is part of the four-member ministerial delegation sent by Chief Minister Vijay to coordinate the emergency rescue operation. Aadhav Arjuna (Public Works), R Vinoth (Agriculture), and K Thennarasu (Minister for Non-Resident Tamils Welfare) are also part of the delegation.
Upon their arrival in New Delhi, the survivors narrated their ordeal to Union External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar who along with officials and BJP Tamil Nadu president Nainar Nagenthran received them. They also met the TN ministers.
All the 21 rescued pilgrims will be arriving at the Chennai airport late tonight, a source said. PTI JSP JSP SA
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