Mumbai, Aug 27 (IANS) The Maharashtra State Disaster Management Department on Thursday confirmed that 110 citizens from Nagpur district, who travelled to Nepal with the Shri Swami Maharaj group, are safe. The group, made up mostly of senior citizens, arrived in Kathmandu on August 22 for a tourism and religious visit.
Officials said the devastating flash flood that struck Nepal on August 26 did not affect the group. Authorities remain in continuous contact with them to monitor their status.
According to the Nagpur District Administration, all 110 individuals are staying safely at the Maheshwari Samaj facility in Kathmandu, where the Nepal administration is extending necessary aid and support. Nepal authorities have arranged alternative bus transport for their return journey.
The group departed Kathmandu on August 27, heading toward Janakpur near the Nepal–India border, and plans to arrive early on August 28. From Janakpur, they will cross into India and proceed to Patna. A train journey back to Nagpur from Danapur railway station has been scheduled for August 28.
Authorities have put complete plans in place to ensure their safe transport back home. The district administration is also in touch with relatives in Nagpur, who confirmed that everyone in the group is safe. Among them, Ankush Ludekar of Premnagar, Itwari, and Ashitosh Choudhary of Manewada are maintaining continuous communication with officials.
Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis spoke to stranded citizens and assured them of all possible help for their safe return. The Chief Minister’s Office, in a post on X, said, “All 106 passengers from Nagpur have safely departed from Kathmandu for Danapur, Bihar. Following a phone call from CM Devendra Fadnavis, Nepal MP Sandeep Rana arranged four local mini‑buses to facilitate their journey from Kathmandu to Janakpur. The passengers are expected to reach the Janakpur–Bihar border tomorrow morning. Buses have been arranged for their journey to Danapur, Bihar, from where their return journey by train has also been arranged.”
Meanwhile, Deputy Chief Minister Eknath Shinde said several citizens from Maharashtra, particularly from Satara, Mahabaleshwar and Pune regions, are stranded in Nepal.
He said officials are making continuous efforts to contact them and bring them back safely.
Terming the situation in Nepal tragic and unfortunate, Shinde said Prime Minister Narendra Modi has extended assistance to Nepal at the central level.
He emphasised that helping each other during crises is essential, noting that the Central Government, Maharashtra Government, State Disaster Management Authority and Shiv Sena’s disaster management team are working in close coordination.
Efforts to reach out and provide aid to stranded citizens from Maharashtra are also being channelled through Shiv Sena workers based in Nepal.
–IANS
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