Kolkata (West Bengal) [India], August 27 : Families of tourists from West Bengal and Tamil Nadu who are stranded in Nepal amid a flood situation are anxiously waiting for their safe return and have approached authorities seeking information about their loved ones.
In West Bengal's Hooghly district, worried families of tourists from Arambagh said they have been praying for the safety of their relatives after a tourist bus carrying around a dozen passengers from the area got stranded in Nepal.
The tourists had travelled to Nepal on August 24 in a bus from different parts of Arambagh. They are currently staying at Chetan Park in Pokhara valley, around 120 kilometres away from the disaster-affected area.
Arnab Kumar Datta and Krikona Dutta, whose mother and mother-in-law, respectively, travelled to Nepal, said their family members left for the trip on August 24, and they became worried after learning about the flash floods in Nepal.
"My mother left for Nepal on August 24, but on August 25 we came to know that there was a flash flood in Nepal. We became quite worried. Initially, we were unable to contact her, but somehow yesterday we managed to speak to her. They are currently staying at a hotel in Pokhara valley, which is more than 100 kilometres away from the affected area, but we are still worried," they said.
Neighbours of the families and bus operator Debabrata Mukherjee, along with Gora Chand Chandra and Vikas Porel, said the houses of some families are currently locked as relatives have been moving from pillar to post to ensure the safety of their loved ones.
They said the bus carrying a dozen of tourists left Arambagh on August 24, and after reports of the natural disaster emerged, families became anxious.
Concern over the safety of the tourists is growing in Arambagh, as network problems in Nepal are making it difficult to maintain regular contact with them. The bus owner also wants the vehicle to return to Arambagh quickly with the tourists and is himself worried about their safety.
They urged authorities to ensure the safe return of the tourists as soon as possible.
Hooghly Rural Police Superintendent Kunwar Bhushan Singh, IPS, said that he spoke with travel agent Debabrata Mukherjee and the bus owner through WhatsApp regarding the situation.
"I just spoke with Debabrata Mukherjee, the travel agent there, and the bus owner through WhatsApp. They informed us that there are no natural disasters where they are currently located at Chetan Park. A natural disaster has occurred around 150 kilometres away, and they are safe there," Singh said.
He added that the tourists are currently at Chetan Park and plan to visit Kokra Valley before returning home via Deoghar.
"None of them is willing to return home today," he added.
Meanwhile, in Tamil Nadu's Thanjavur district, families of tourists from Kumbakonam are seeking information about their relatives after a travel agency organised a Nepal tour for around 57 people.

Following flash floods in the region, 37 members of the group are reportedly stranded, and authorities are currently unable to establish contact with them, while the remaining 20 members are said to be safe.
The families have been visiting the travel agency's office to seek updates about their relatives. The police have also been deployed outside the agency's office.

Vijayalakshmi, a relative of tourists stranded in Nepal, said, "My daughter and son-in-law have travelled to Nepal, and they are currently stranded in the floods. We are praying to God for their safe return."

"Yesterday, my daughter and son-in-law's photos were shown on television as being among those who are safe. However, when we came here and enquired about them, we were told that there was no information about their current status," she told ANI.
She urged the Tamil Nadu government to take immediate action and ensure their safe rescue and return.
Kumbakonam Tahsildar Poongodi said, "Fifty-seven people travelled from here. Of them, 20 are safe, while there is no information yet about the remaining people. The District Collector is continuously monitoring the situation and is in contact with the concerned authorities through the External Affairs Department."
Another relative, Renuka Devi, said her friend had travelled to Kailash and later reached Nepal when the incident occurred.
"My friend had gone to Kailash. They came to Nepal and landed here. Apparently, this incident happened when they landed. After that, when we tried to contact them, the phone was not reachable, and it did not even ring," she said.
She added that the family approached authorities after watching news reports.
"We came here today after watching the news. They told us that they would give us an update within two hours. We were told that 21 people are safe, but there is still no clear information about these people. They have asked us to wait for another two hours for an update," she said.
Renuka Devi said the last communication with her friend was a "Good Morning" message received on the previous day, after which there had been no response.
Nepal has been hit by devastating flash floods triggered by a massive surge in the Bhote Koshi River, causing loss of life, displacement and extensive damage to infrastructure, including homes, roads, bridges and hydropower facilities.
According to Nepal Embassy sources, 175 bodies have been recovered so far, while many people, including locals and tourists, remain missing. Around 476 people from 28 countries have been reported missing, though the figures are still being verified as search and rescue operations continue.
The National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Authority (NDRRMA) said the death toll in Rasuwa district has risen as recovery operations continue. Several security personnel, including 44 Nepal Army personnel, 28 Nepal Police personnel and 13 Armed Police Force personnel, are also missing.
The floods were triggered after a debris-laden torrent from Lhende Khola, following a suspected glacier or ice rock collapse near the Rasuwagadhi border point, entered the Bhote Koshi River and affected areas including Rasuwagadhi, Timure and Syaphru Besi.
The disaster has damaged dozens of bridges and roads, while rescue and relief operations have been intensified by Nepal's security forces using helicopters and ground teams. Medical assistance, temporary shelters, food, water and medicines are being provided to affected people.
India has further stepped up humanitarian assistance for Nepal, with the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) stating that a second flight carrying 37.5 tonnes of Humanitarian Assistance and Disaster Relief (HADR) material, medicines and food packets has departed for the flood-hit country.
Earlier, the Embassy of India in Nepal handed over 10 tonnes of relief materials to Nepal authorities. Prime Minister Narendra Modi and External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar have also expressed solidarity with Nepal and assured all possible assistance.