Over 80 Tamil Nadu pilgrims unaccounted for in Nepal flash floods

A large group of pilgrims from Tamil Nadu has gone missing in Nepal following severe flash flooding that swept through the Himalayan nation, prompting growing concerns among families back home. The pilgrims, who travelled through a tour agency based in Kumbakonam, were caught in the natural disaster while on a religious journey. According to official statements, 21 members of the 57-strong contingent that departed through the Super Yathira agency have returned to Tamil Nadu safely, leaving over 80 others unaccounted for across multiple groups.

The exact circumstances of how the pilgrims became separated and the full scale of the disaster remain unclear. Authorities in both Tamil Nadu and Nepal are engaged in search and rescue operations to locate the missing travellers. The incident has raised concerns about the safety protocols and preparedness of tour operators conducting pilgrimage trips to Nepal during monsoon seasons when flash floods pose significant risks.

Families of the missing pilgrims have appealed to the state government and central authorities to intensify efforts to trace their relatives. Tamil Nadu's administration has engaged with its counterparts in Nepal to coordinate rescue operations and gather information about the missing travellers. The tour agency through which the pilgrims travelled is expected to face scrutiny regarding the arrangements made for the group and the risk assessments conducted prior to the journey.