- 6 weeks ago
A total of 133 Indian tourists were reported missing in Nepal following flash floods triggered by a magnitude 4.4 earthquake and an avalanche near the Nepal-China border in Rasuwagadhi.
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00:22133 Indian tourists currently confirmed missing in Nepal.
00:27This is a clarity that we are breaking to you at 6pm, 133 Indian tourists.
00:33Out of them, according to the DMK MP Dhani Di Maran, 50 tourists missing are from Tamil Nadu
00:39and asking for immediate intervention of the External Affairs Ministry.
00:42We are putting out the official document of the Nepalese government accessed by India today.
00:47Country-wise, there's a breakdown. India is on the top.
00:51133 Indians missing.
00:52The still-found column has zero, which means still missing is 133.
00:59External Affairs Ministry, meanwhile, has issued these helpline numbers on your screens.
01:03The ticker is putting forth any detail with the number that is coming up.
01:07If you have any information or even are seeking help,
01:10these are the numbers for the Indian mission in Nepal that you can immediately call on.
01:14Remember that India today is only going to put out confirmed information.
01:18Going by this official document, 133 is missing.
01:23It's not looking good because the number has risen from about 105 earlier to 133 now.
01:29We also don't have clarity.
01:31All 133 of them were present in the Rusava area where the flash flood has taken place.
01:37And if they were there, caught in this, in this deluge, ladies and gentlemen,
01:42while I don't intend to sound alarming, it's anybody's guess how difficult this would be to escape.
01:47Rescue mission is already being pushed into service.
01:51According to the Nepalese army spokesperson,
01:54there are half a dozen aircrafts that already have been pressed into service.
01:58India is also sending the C-130 transport aircraft, C-130J.
02:03There is also C-17 jet that's on standby as and when required.
02:08Pranay Upadhyay is joining us for the details.
02:10Pranay, tell us more about this document.
02:12It's not just about missing Indians.
02:14I believe there are other Europeans, Americans as well,
02:17who are missing according to Nepal government.
02:20Absolutely, Puja, as you can make out from this list,
02:23which is shared by the Nepalese government
02:25and Nepalese Prime Minister's office is constantly monitoring the situation.
02:28A control room is already being set up in Kathmandu
02:32and various missions, including the Indian mission,
02:34Indian embassy in Kathmandu is in touch with the Nepalese authorities
02:37to coordinate the relief and rescue work of these individuals,
02:42of these Indians as well, because 133 Indians,
02:45and as you rightly mentioned, that the number has gone up
02:48and that is a concerning thing, that is a worrying thing,
02:50that in Nepal flash floods, so far, 133 Indians are missing,
02:54though, as you were also mentioning,
02:57that this is only a missing number
02:59because the communications are down in that area
03:02that Rasuwa borders between Nepal and China
03:05and that is the area which is mostly taken by the people,
03:08those who go on pilgrimage to Kalashman, Sarovar.
03:11Many people go to that area for trekking purpose.
03:14There is a popular tourist destination as well
03:16and therefore, a large number of people go there
03:18and around 12 Nepalese to travel, you know, groups or companies
03:24are in touch with the Nepalese government
03:27on fetching the numbers on these missing individual
03:30or missing, you know, tourists there in that region.
03:33But certainly, it is a matter of concern
03:35for the government of India as well
03:36because 133 Indian going missing in Nepal is a big number.
03:40And that's why...
03:41Pranay, also just put it in perspective
03:42for the viewer watching right now.
03:44Why is this region so important?
03:46When I talk of 133 Indians
03:48and many foreign nationals missing from this place,
03:51what is the significance of this region
03:53that so many would be visiting
03:55or passing through this specific stretch?
03:58As you know, Pooja,
03:59that the Kalashman Sarovar Yatra is right now on.
04:02And there are only two official routes
04:04which is coordinated by Ministry of External Affairs,
04:07which is the Nathula route and Lipulik route.
04:09And if anyone who does not get the lottery
04:13in this official routes
04:15or the Government of India coordinated routes
04:17of Nathula and Lipulik,
04:18then people have to take the Nepal route
04:20and therefore, a large number of people
04:22also take that Nepal route.
04:24And this Rasuwa border is the popular route,
04:27you know, the Hilsa area, Simicot area.
04:30All these routes are there
04:31for these Kalashman Sarovar pilgrims
04:34to go to the Tipad Autonomous region
04:37for the Kalashman Sarovar Yatra
04:38and therefore, a large number of Indians
04:39also go there.
04:41Besides that,
04:42that area is also popular
04:43among tourists
04:44and people,
04:45those who go for mountaineering.
04:46And like you mentioned, Pranay,
04:48Nepal is a very popular
04:50trekking, hiking zone.
04:52Too many mountains, of course.
04:53Popular mountains there,
04:54we know that
04:55that is where
04:56foreign mountaineers
04:57also come in
04:58and go even to
05:00hilly terrains.
05:01And when we say missing,
05:02and I'll go to Pranay on that
05:03in just a short while,
05:04missing basically means
05:05their respective missions
05:06could be trying to contact them.
05:07There's no connection
05:08and that's why
05:09they've been mentioned
05:10as missing.
05:10That does not mean
05:12that they've lost their life.
05:13It means there is
05:14no contact presently.
05:16I have big news coming in.
05:18This is an update.
05:19Sadly, not a good news.
05:2022 bodies have been recovered.
05:23The police statement
05:24that confirms
05:25from the Nepal government,
05:2722 dead bodies
05:28have been recovered.
05:29The mortal remains
05:30that for now,
05:32because of the rescue
05:33and relief operations,
05:34there have been survivors
05:35as well, of course, thankfully.
05:37The Nepal government
05:38has said that
05:39ordering free treatment
05:40emergency aid
05:41to the flood victims,
05:42government has ordered
05:43for any medical treatment,
05:44of course, that's required.
05:45And it will be provided
05:47through the Ministry of Health
05:48and Food Safety.
05:49Nepalese army
05:50has been pressed into service,
05:51the government officials as well.
05:53What is India doing
05:54on this, Pranay?
05:55It's not just about
05:56Indian citizens,
05:57but also to ensure
05:58to help the people of Nepal.
06:00What is the foreign ministry?
06:03How are they working on this?
06:05And if someone's watching right now,
06:07whether from India
06:08or from Nepal,
06:09how can they contact
06:10the closest mission?
06:12Where do they contact?
06:14How do they get help?
06:15Nepal, you know,
06:16Pooja,
06:17we are also flashing
06:18those helpline numbers,
06:19but besides that,
06:20the social media handles
06:21of Ministry of External Affairs,
06:22Indian Embassy in Kathmandu
06:23have also flashed.
06:24They have set up
06:25a control room
06:26in Kathmandu
06:27for coordinating
06:29these, you know,
06:30relief and rescue operation.
06:31And also,
06:32if someone
06:32or whose loved one
06:33whose family members
06:34are missing
06:35or reported
06:36or not being able
06:37to, you know,
06:38contact it,
06:39and then they can reach out
06:40to the Indian Embassy
06:41there in Kathmandu.
06:42Ministry of External Affairs
06:43is also in touch
06:45with the Nepalese authority.
06:46But besides that,
06:46highest level of contact
06:47has already been established,
06:49Pooja.
06:49Prime Minister Narendra Modi
06:50spoke to his Nepalese counterpart.
06:52Prime Minister Balen Shah
06:53extended all possible help
06:55as you also reported
06:57that, you know,
06:58two of the Indian Air Force
06:59aircraft are also
07:00being prepared
07:01and prepared to send
07:02to Nepal
07:03with the first tranche
07:05of relief and rescue
07:06material,
07:06which also includes
07:08heavy earthmover machinery.
07:10And besides that,
07:12the tarpaulin,
07:13medical assistance,
07:14medical teams
07:14are also being kept
07:15on standby.
07:16Disaster relief teams
07:17are also being kept
07:18on standby.
07:19And depending on
07:20the requests
07:21coming from Kathmandu,
07:23the Nepalese government,
07:24Government of India,
07:24has expressed
07:26the intent
07:28that India
07:29would be able
07:29to provide
07:30all possible help
07:30in this difficult time.
07:32Pranay, stay on with me
07:34because for the viewer
07:34joining in right now,
07:36if you're tuning
07:36into India today,
07:38right now and wondering
07:38what exactly happened
07:39in Nepal,
07:40we've prepared
07:41this jacket for you
07:42to understand
07:43the kind of latest
07:44images that are coming in.
07:45I want to take you
07:46through those powerful images,
07:47a certain trigger warning
07:48as well
07:48to some of our viewers
07:50considering the sheer
07:51scale of devastation
07:52that we are witnessing.
07:53The top visual
07:54on our screen
07:55is without a doubt
07:56the Kerung border.
07:57For the first time
07:59possibly witnessing
08:00the impact
08:01of a flash flood.
08:03This is the Nepal-China border.
08:05Look how the kind
08:06of force and pressure
08:07with which the flash flood
08:08comes and then
08:09the screen goes blank.
08:10This is a CCTV image
08:12that has been caught
08:13at about 8.45 a.m.
08:14Kerung border
08:15is a key route
08:16for cargo,
08:17for pilgrims
08:18and passengers
08:18travelling,
08:19for the Kailash Mansarovar Yatra.
08:21And we see some people here
08:24running for safety
08:26but for some of them
08:27it may be too late.
08:31Villages across Nepal's
08:33Rasuwa district
08:34battered by the raging waters.
08:36This does not look
08:37densely populated
08:38but it clearly shows
08:39the kind of force
08:41with which
08:41the flash flood
08:43starting from the top terrains
08:45and then has wiped off
08:47the villages
08:48and hill areas.
08:53Trishuli is important
08:55vis-a-vis Bihar
08:56and Uttar Pradesh as well.
08:57This is in Nepal.
08:58The area is completely
08:59inundated.
09:00Floodwaters are sweeping
09:01through the streets
09:02and buildings
09:03but these areas
09:04border Uttar Pradesh
09:05and Bihar.
09:06That is why
09:06our state governments
09:07also are ensuring
09:09caution
09:09and taking all
09:10precautionary measures.
09:16This is what it looks like
09:17from an aerial view.
09:18The sheer scale
09:19of the devastation
09:20left behind
09:21by the flash floods.
09:22You can see
09:23that these are
09:24villages, towns
09:25completely inundated
09:27and all of this
09:28happens within seconds
09:30of the flash flood.
09:34Look at the force
09:35of the water here
09:36ladies and gentlemen.
09:37The river water
09:38with the sort of
09:40flash flood
09:41that has happened
09:42surging toward
09:43a hydroelectric plant
09:44in Rasuva.
09:45Structures were washed away.
09:47We know that
09:48there are some
09:48hydro plants
09:49that have been affected
09:50as well.
09:51Basically that means
09:51electricity
09:52in several areas
09:54have been affected.
09:57This is Chitwan
09:58where the swollen river
10:00has risen dramatically
10:02and this is the
10:03Narayan Ghat area.
10:04You can see
10:04a massive Buddha statue
10:06partially submerged
10:08in the floodwaters.
10:09it appears to be
10:10a mobile footage
10:11that has been recorded
10:13but look at the force
10:14with which the raging
10:16water is passing through.
10:21Visuals from
10:22Bhotkoshi now.
10:23The current is so powerful
10:24as you can see
10:25vehicles are being
10:26washed away.
10:28Anything that comes
10:29in the way
10:29even houses
10:30are being swept off
10:32in a matter of seconds
10:33in its path
10:34for the water.
10:41Nepal has not seen
10:42anything like this.
10:44India has even
10:44the earthquake
10:45remember
10:45was not as many
10:47say so much
10:49of devastation
10:49that was seen
10:51at that point.
10:51Lives are at risk
10:52right now.
10:53Communities have been
10:54cut off.
10:55The Nepalese army
10:56is working non-stop
10:57but it's the
10:58dimming light
10:59it's the time
11:00that is of essence
11:01for the rescue operations
11:02and to evacuate people
11:03to rescue survivors.
11:18Some clarity
11:19on the identity
11:20has come in about
11:21who are these
11:22133 missing Indians
11:24in Nepal.
11:25Over 50 are
11:26from Tamil Nadu.
11:27The DMK MP
11:28Dayanidhi Maran
11:29has confirmed
11:29that there are
11:30at least 50 people
11:31from Tamil Nadu
11:32who were in Nepal
11:33who were visiting
11:34Nepal and they
11:35cannot be contacted
11:36right now.
11:37This basically means
11:38that there is no
11:39contact and that
11:40they are missing
11:40and nothing more.
11:41I reiterate here
11:42and I do not intend
11:43to sound alarming.
11:44India today has spoken
11:45to kin of one
11:46of the missing families.
11:48So think of these
11:48families right now.
11:50One of the group
11:50pictures I believe
11:51that is on your screen
11:52and we'll just
11:54get some clarity
11:54on that.
11:55The family member
11:56of the missing
11:56has said 57 people
11:59left from the state
12:00of Tamil Nadu
12:01for Nepal.
12:02Nepalese government
12:03has confirmed
12:03that 133 Indians
12:05cannot be contacted
12:07and they were
12:08in that area.
12:09Remember these
12:10are recorded details
12:11with any mission
12:12any embassy
12:13so they of course
12:14are trying to connect
12:15to the ones
12:16whose records
12:16are there officially
12:17and if they cannot
12:18be contacted
12:19for any reason
12:20they have been put
12:21in the missing list.
12:23That's the image
12:24of possibly that
12:25group picture
12:25that has gone
12:27to Nepal.
12:28We are praying
12:28of course for their
12:29safety and we hope
12:30that they'll be
12:30immediately contacted
12:31very very soon.
12:32Let's listen in
12:34to what the family
12:34member is saying.
12:35there is a
13:05The people are at stake and on the other side.
13:08I am finally walking on the area of the area.
13:10They are going to get the helicopter and I am going to visit the helicopter.
13:18I am going to visit the helicopter.
13:20We are going to visit the helicopter.
13:20The people I am in the hospital are talking about.
13:24They are going to visit the hospital.
13:27I don't know who to go there.
13:30Where are you from?
13:31And as we are in the group, we have to send our names for the name and the name of
13:37the name.
13:37We are the super yathra agency.
13:40We call them the name of the NIRVAN.
13:41We call them the NIRVAN.
13:46We call them the other names.
13:49We call them the NIRVAN.
13:54We call them the NIRVAN.
14:20So that is at least the first clarity that we have on this.
14:23My colleague Pramod Madhav is joining me from Tamil Nadu.
14:26Pramod, do you have details and if you can help translate further
14:30for what this gentleman just said to us,
14:33where did they go, any clarity on if they are in this impacted zone
14:37and is there no contact at all with them?
14:40Certainly, Pooja, these are the details that have been given by a person called a Saadik
14:44who actually owns this particular travel agency through which 57 people from Tamil Nadu have gone over there
14:49and two plus two people from Maharashtra.
14:51So the total number is 59 and they have been traveling in three buses.
14:54Now what Saadik has told us is that they had left on 23rd from Tamil Nadu,
14:58they had gone to Delhi and by 25th they had reached Kathmandu and from there
15:02they were on a trip to Kailash, a visit to Kailash actually.
15:06And what happened is that one of the buses had already crossed the kind of area,
15:09but the next two buses, the ones that the passengers in that particular air buses
15:12are the ones who are apparently not able to communicate.
15:15Now Saadik also claims that he has spoken to a military chief engineer in that particular spot
15:19who has assured that 20 people who are the first bus are safe and they are in a particular camp.
15:24And once the situation normalizes, they will be sent back to Kathmandu,
15:27from there they can be flown back to Delhi.
15:29So Saadik is actually leaving to that particular area.
15:31He has also been informed that close to 10 to 15 people have been hospitalized,
15:34but since there is a like poor cell phone signal over there,
15:38they are not able to communicate to them directly.
15:40So the actual agency owner Saadik, whose son is also a part of this particular program,
15:44is also there, who is also in this particular, he is one among the 57 people.
15:48So he is going there and he says that further details will be given,
15:51at least by 8pm he will get more details and tomorrow he is going there directly.
15:55But totally 57 people from Tamil Nadu have gone over there and now the travel agency
15:59which they have taken over says that 20 people are safe.
16:01The remaining 37, the details are yet to be for it.
16:04For these kin, for these family members who cannot contact the ones in Nepal,
16:08it's going to be a long night.
16:10Let's just hope there will be some connection that will be established.
16:12I am sure you will be in touch with them and prayers for all of them.
16:16For a few seconds I would like my team to put the image of the family on the full screen.
16:22If you are watching this telecaster in Nepal, if you recognize them,
16:26if these family members are watching this, to be able to connect with the Indian mission immediately.
16:30So these are the individuals, 50 of them from Tamil Nadu, who are presently in Nepal
16:36and there is no connection with them.
16:38There is no clarity if they are exactly where the flash flood has happened.
16:41So we will be praying and be hopeful that they will be rescued, contacted at the earliest.
16:47We have some news coming in. Pramodh, thank you very much for now.
16:55Nepal's foreign minister said that there was an earthquake that took place early this morning
17:00that triggered the flash flood. What did that mean?
17:02I am going to put out now this image for you to help you understand what happened and when.
17:07At 8.22 am, that is when an earthquake occurs, 4.4 on the Richter scale.
17:14You may think it's not a very high one on the Richter scale, but that's not the definition of the
17:19impact.
17:20It's usually the terrain, the depth that can trigger a worsening situation and that's what happened here.
17:26So this is the border area of Nepal, toward Tibet largely, 47 kilometers from Nepal border, not very long clearly.
17:35And that, according to Nepal's foreign minister, immediately triggered the flash flood.
17:41There is some truth to that as well, because 8.22 am, we know that the earthquake happens.
17:46By 8.25, visuals have been caught on CCTV of flash floods coming through.
17:51By 8.45 am, we have the Kerung border customs office flash flood that has shocked the entire country.
17:59And the world is watching that visual right now, possibly for the first time,
18:03to help us really see what a flash flood is and an impact that can be in real time.
18:09That is what happened, but of course, further investigations will reveal what triggered this disaster.
18:14Listen in now to the voices that India today is constantly getting from Nepal.
18:19I spoke to a young woman, Jasmine Oja, she was in Kathmandu, but she knows people who travel to this
18:25region and they cannot be contacted right now.
18:28Listen in now.
18:30What is the situation that you are hearing? What kind of visuals are coming to you? How damaging does it
18:36look like to you?
18:38So, I am right now in Kathmandu. Some of my colleagues have gone to the affected area today morning.
18:46So, they have already reached there. And some of my relatives' relatives have also been lost in the flood right
18:53now.
18:54So, what's happening now? I just heard about that they are trying to contact people through the help of satellite,
19:04but people are missing.
19:06They are not being able to contact each other. There is a situation of chaos going there.
19:13Right now, the Nepal government is also trying to contact the people, but I see that so many situations that
19:23the Nepal government is trying is failing right now.
19:26It's not seen that properly, that the government is doing that in a proper way.
19:32Now, there are many people who are taking a lot of hours and going to Kathmandu.
19:39Many NGOs and INGOs are also helping them toтАж
19:44So, I am telling you, Jasmine, do you know someone who is there?
19:49Yes.
19:49Yes.
19:49Yes.
19:50Yes.
19:51Yes.
19:52Yes.
19:52Yes.
19:52Yes.
19:52Yes.
19:52Yes.
19:53Yes.
19:53Yes.
19:55Yes.
19:56Yes.
20:00Yes.
20:01Yes.
20:12Yes.
20:14Yes.
20:15Yes.
20:16Yes.
20:17Yes.
20:17Yes.
20:17Yes.
20:17Yes.
20:17Yes.
20:18Yes.
20:18Yes.
20:18Yes.
20:19Yes.
20:21Yes.
20:23Yes.
20:23Yes.
20:24Yes.
20:24Yes.
20:25Yes.
20:25Yes.
20:26Yes.
20:28Yes.
20:29Yes.
20:34It is near the China border.
20:39That's why the Nepal government is also trying to access China.
20:47They have made some of the contacts with the Chinese people there.
20:54But they are not being able to contact.
20:58They are missing in it.
21:02So, what is it?
21:04It is like this is for the very first time that Nepal has seen this big flood.
21:11It has never happened in Nepal before.
21:15We have never seen such a big flood.
21:19We have never seen such a big flood.
21:21This is the very first time Nepal has been facing this.
21:24Jasmine, I am sure you remember the earthquake also of Nepal.
21:28How different do you think the earthquake was to this flash flood, the kind of damage or sadly the death
21:34toll that we are looking at?
21:36In Nepal, it has been said for many years.
21:40We have been saying that we need a policy for climate.
21:44We need a fiscal policy, we need a climate friendly budget.
21:47We are talking about this many years.
21:51But today, they have never taken the issue of climate.
21:55So, they have never taken the issue of climate.
21:59They have never taken the issue of climate.
22:00So, if I see, when we saw it in 1972, when the earthquake went in Nepal, I remember that I
22:07was in Italy.
22:09When the earthquake was going, it was also very big, but it was also very big, because either thousands of
22:18people have been affected, hundreds of lives have been already gone, how much we have heard, and many people are
22:26missing.
22:27So, I think this has become more big issue than the issue that was happening back in 2073.
22:35Let's try and get some updates coming in about from the political leadership, what the politicians there are saying, noticing
22:41what the government needs to do.
22:42Joining me from the Rashtriya Swatantra Party, he's the leader Noor Mohamad for the latest on that.
22:48Mr. Noor Mohamad, what is it that you are hearing?
22:51What are the kind of visuals and videos that you are receiving that you can tell us about the level
22:56of devastation in Nepal this morning?
23:00Thank you very much for calling us.
23:03It's one of the biggest disasters in our country, and we are facing the big disaster in our country,
23:12and our government is trying to relocate the people and trying to solve this issue nearby, and our government is
23:21working on this one.
23:23This time, we are facing a lot of issues in our country, because it's a massive flood, and it's a
23:32disaster in our country.
23:34So, government is working on this, and we heard that until now, they have received nine dead bodies, and lots
23:47of bridges are massed away, and lots of roads are massed away, and it's very hard to reach people.
23:58We are facing a disaster this time.
24:01I understand that RSP is a fairly new party. It is currently in the government in Nepal.
24:09Do you think that you have enough assistance coming in for you?
24:13There may be slightly a lack of experience, so to say, to be handled such a scale of disaster.
24:19How is your government, how are your leaders going on and about to ensure that rescue operations are conducted in
24:25time?
24:25Is there any requirement that you think Nepal needs right now?
24:29Once we heard that the flood is there in that certain area, our government, they are working hard to save
24:38the life of people, and they are rushing, and they are putting there all the efforts to save the life
24:46there.
24:47And definitely, a lot of roads are massed away, bridges are massed away, and we are facing a lot of
25:02issues to save the life and relocate the life there.
25:06But the government, and the Nepal army, Nepal police, and APF, they all are working to solve these all issues
25:18there by near, but we are facing the climate challenge, roads, and everything.
25:27It's a difficult terrain to operate in.
25:29Mr. Nooramud, India is sending two aircrafts for help in rescue operations and some relief materials as well.
25:35Is there anything that you think at this point that the government may need that India can be of help
25:40for?
25:42Mr. Definitely, definitely, definitely, India is our neighbor country, and they have helped us in every situation of Nepal.
25:50And we do appreciate it that Indian government, they are always with us, and they want to help us.
25:58We really appreciate on that.
26:00And we might need so many help from India, and these things will be coordinated with the government, and I
26:10think the government, they are working on this.
26:13Final question, sir.
26:15There's concern in India also, because over 133 Indian citizens at least are missing.
26:2050 of them are from a southern state of Tamil Nadu.
26:22What assurance can you give to families here back home that there will be all efforts made to contact the
26:30Indian civilians there in your country right now?
26:35See, this disaster came suddenly, and we are worried about the life of people for all the nationality.
26:43And we and our government, we are putting full efforts to save the life of the people in this disaster
26:52time.
26:53So, we just want to say and pray with God that at least we can save the life first.
27:00It's a disaster time here.
27:03So, we are working to save the life of people.
27:07One more question.
27:09Can you help me understand the ground situation in Ruseva about the kind of communication that has been impacted?
27:15I'm sure there's going to be a massive shortage to even reach the place that's going to be difficult.
27:19Can you tell us more about the geographical location?
27:23Are many people missing?
27:24Is the death toll expected to rise?
27:26If you can help us understand that.
27:30You know, to reach that area, it's very difficult because the main thing is that lots of roads are massed
27:41away and bridges are massed away and it's very hard to reach there.
27:48And it's a very difficult time to reach there.
27:52Even in Kathmandu now, it's raining and that area, particular area, it's very hard to reach there.
28:01You know, it's very hard to reach there.
28:05Our prayers and solidarity from India to Nepal.
28:08Mr. Noor Mohammed, thank you very much for speaking to India today.
28:11I hope all your people will be safe.
28:13More and more survivors will be will be saved, will be brought out from their debris.
28:18And Indian armed forces also are ensuring deployments as and when required by Nepal to help assist in this process.
28:25This visual, ladies and gentlemen, has shocked the entire country in the world to be able to for really for
28:31the first time see the kind of force and pressure of what a flash flood can do.
28:36Now we are going by as responsible journalism only putting out official statements to not sound panic or alarm.
28:43There was a conversation that India today's Pranayupadhyay had with Nepal's tourism police.
28:48And especially because it concerns Indian citizens.
28:51Here's an excerpt of that.
29:22Hello?
29:22Hello?
29:22Hello?
29:22Hello?
29:23I have an interviewer.
29:26Wow.
29:27My team is a good partner.
29:34It's a good partner.
29:35I'm not sure if they're an investor, but they're an investor who's in there.
29:52I don't have to worry about it, I don't have to worry about it, I don't have to worry about
29:58it, I don't have to worry about it, I don't have to worry about it.
30:05Okay, madam, Nepal Tourism Board has been given a list of several countries, there are 59 Indian tourists, there are
30:13other countries too.
30:15So, you are saying that it is not confirmed, Nepal Tourism Board has shared a list?
30:22Yeah, okay, okay, we are looking at the circular, but we are not familiar with this.
30:30Okay, madam, what happened, what happened, what happened, what happened, if you can tell, how many hours the report happened,
30:37what happened?
30:378.40, 8.40, 8.40, 8.40, 8.40, 8.40, 8.40.
30:59All government actively participated in the Haley rescue, more than 40 people have been rescued by Haley.
31:09Okay.
31:09Similarly, many people have been rescued in safe places of Raswa district, at least in high regions.
31:22Okay.
31:2220.
31:2220.
31:23Similarly, some people are in view.
31:27Just in case you are tuning in right now, I want to take you through the visuals that have come
31:31in.
31:31Most of it is CCTV footage or mobile footage.
31:34This is Kerung Border Customs Office, where you can see the impact, one of the flash flood, and then, if
31:40you look at closely on your screens,
31:41the below part of that visual shows that there are employees, workers who are trying to rush out for safety,
31:48and then the screen goes blank.
31:50Reflective of the kind of impact that is of the debris from the mountain region, and many of them clearly
31:57look like they have been caught in what exactly happened.
32:00Let's constantly change the visual.
32:01This is again another visual coming in.
32:03A submerged Buddha statue, the raging river force passing through villages and towns in some areas, completely wiping out villages.
32:13That is why more and more people who are missing right now, and the rescue operations are on.
32:17It's currently raining there in this Raswa area, according to officials speaking to India today.
32:23But what happens when the water comes gushing in densely populated areas?
32:28Just look at this visual on your screen.
32:30You can see there are houses and restaurants right where the Gushing River is passing through.
32:36And often, this is without a warning that comes in as an alert.
32:45Shivani Sharma joins me for the latest on that.
32:47Shivani, what are we hearing about are Indian Air Force aircrafts to leave at what time?
32:53And what is the update? What are the aircrafts going to carry with them?
32:57And what else is on standby from India for Nepal?
33:02Pooja, as we were breaking down for our viewers that the Indian Air Force aircraft, the C-17 Globemaster and
33:10C-130J Super Hercules, they are ready.
33:13They are being loaded with the rescue material, the medicine, the earth moving machinery, the rescue teams who have to
33:20be there in Nepal to help and assist in the rescue operation, the medical team.
33:26So all this is now being prepared.
33:28The C-130J will be leaving.
33:30The C-17 will be leaving.
33:32And they are on a standby since this happened.
33:34And they are also coordinating with the teams in Nepal, the Nepalese army and the authorities out there about where
33:41these materials are required the most.
33:45So they will be leaving shortly from here, from the Hinden Air Base.
33:49That's what we are learning and the preparations are being made.
33:52All this stuff is being loaded in this aircraft along with the teams who are ready to fly.
33:57Tomorrow morning, one aircraft will be leaving and if required, more aircraft will be pressed into action.
34:03So all the teams from the NDRF, the Indian Air Force, the SSB that's on ground, on foot, they are
34:10also present there, Pooja.
34:13So all these efforts areтАж
34:14Shivani, what is the protocol in this place?
34:16I'm sure we have many more aircrafts that are on standby.
34:20Is it when Nepal will give us the details of what they want?
34:24All right, I have news coming in. Shivani, please stay on with me.
34:28Not the best news really coming in, ladies and gentlemen.
34:31The death toll is mounting in Nepal.
34:3355 people have lost their life.
34:36This is confirmed information coming in.
34:39But from the looks of it, it clearly appears that the death toll is going to increase and could go
34:43into hundreds.
34:44But nevertheless, I'll stay with the official confirmed information right now.
34:48An initial study based on the analysis of satellite images by Planet Labs indicates that a glacier-inclusive flood occurred.
34:55And that is when possibly a snow rock landslide that took place at the southern Nepal-China border.
35:0255 people confirmed dead. Their identities are not clear.
35:06It's going to be a long night for the family members trying to get in touch with the ones who
35:11have been missing.
35:12But approximately 20 kilometers northeast of Nepal-China, Rasuwa Gari border crossing, where this incident has taken place.
35:20The gushing impact of the river, which basically is not just river anymore.
35:24It carries with it debris, force that human beings cannot really escape if sadly caught in it.
35:32And from the visuals that are coming in of the mobile footage of the CCTV, it is only reflective of
35:37the impact that has really hit on the ground.
35:39While these are mountain areas, but places which are densely populated or where there are offices like the Kerung office.
35:47Kerung office, ladies and gentlemen, is of extreme significance.
35:50It's an international point of checks and balances that are done by the administration.
35:56This is the area where even Indian passengers and pilgrims will have to pass through to head toward Kailash Mansarovar.
36:03It's a customs office, so you can understand the significance of it.
36:07And very likely, because it was about 8.30 a.m., there were employees at work at that office.
36:14Rasuwa Gari border, where this incident has taken place.
36:18Satellite images are showing us about the extent of damage that has taken place.
36:23Pranayopadhyay joins me for the latest on that.
36:25And also Shivani Sharma.
36:27Shivani, 55 confirmed dead.
36:30Can you help me understand, and I don't intend to sound gruesome here,
36:33but how do you think that the officials are confirming the rise of the death toll?
36:38Is it an estimate?
36:39Is it the recovery of the mortal remains?
36:41Or is it, of course, they are able to understand what precisely has happened in which region and are putting
36:47forth that information?
36:49Pooja, it's very unfortunate because the magnitude of this whole flash flood, as we've seen, the whole city has been
36:58washed out, wiped out there, and the whole area is wiped out.
37:02And the numbers that are coming are official numbers only after the verification and the mortal remains that are now
37:09being found in that region.
37:11So this toll can rise.
37:14Please, this is the unfortunate fact because that whole area where we see the impact of the waters gushing through
37:22was a densely populated region.
37:24People were doing their work as usual.
37:27There was no alert prior to what happened.
37:30So we also see the offices were functional out there, the customs office there in that region, the markets out
37:37there, the houses, the residents.
37:39Everything was filled at that time, Pooja.
37:43So the numbers could go high and very worrisome figures out here.
37:48The rescue operation continues.
37:49More than 85 people have been rescued by the army helicopters there.
37:54Okay.
37:55But yes, the death toll is increasing and it will be a very, very tough time.
37:59So I just want to reiterate that for the viewer.
38:01In these grim times, there is also some news of hope.
38:05There have been people who have been rescued alive as well.
38:08But time is of essence.
38:09Do you think the light dimming, Shivani, is going to be a concern for the armed forces there in Nepal?
38:15And because it's such a difficult terrain to operate in, they would largely be depending on the air force than
38:20the army or the ground transport.
38:23Certainly, with the light dimming, there will be an added challenge of the visibility, Pooja, as we know that there
38:30is no electricity in that region.
38:32To look for people, to look for people stuck out there in those debris, of course, will become more challenging.
38:39Right.
38:39And that's why we call it a race against time.
38:42More and more rescues that can happen in the daytime and close to what the event has happened.
38:47So remember, it's already hours now.
38:50This happened in the morning at around 8.45.
38:52That's what we are being told.
38:53So dimming of the light will certainly bring challenges.
38:56There is equipment that is being used.
38:59And for the rescue teams also, it's very difficult to operate in this kind of a terrain.
39:03Remember, these helicopters, they also have their own capability challenges in such terrain because there have been fresh warnings also
39:12that people need to be alert.
39:14There can be another flash flood.
39:17They need to stay away from these locations, especially through these mountain areas and this river terrain.
39:24So it is very difficult.
39:25Shivani, stay on with me because the latest information that's coming in.
39:29What exactly happened in Nepal?
39:32Was there no immediate warning that could be given?
39:35Was there no evacuation that was possible?
39:37But here's what is being said about the avalanche that was triggered.
39:42Just to give you a background of what Nepal's foreign minister has said.
39:45There was an earthquake that happened early this morning, 8.22am, that triggered an avalanche and that then led to
39:52the flash flood.
39:53And therefore, it was very difficult and impossible to a certain degree to give any sort of warning to it.
39:59Many people early this morning in Nepal were caught unaware heading to their office at their home on the roads.
40:05Multiple visuals.
40:06These are confirmed visuals.
40:08Do not go by what social media is telling you.
40:10So India today is confirming to you what exactly happened.
40:14The death toll has risen to 55 right now.
40:18Some have been rescued as well over 80.
40:20But this I can tell you going by the visuals that the number is only going to increase.
40:25It's not to sound alarming but that's what the reality is looking like.
40:28Satellite images are showing flood in the Lende River.
40:31Basically, a snow rock landslide that took place on the Nepal-China border.
40:37Approximately 20 kilometers northeast of the Nepal-China-Rasuagadi border crossing.
40:41And that is when the offices that have been washed away.
40:46Alright, that's the latest.
40:47Chinese office in Rasuagadi also was washed away.
40:51NDRF, ladies and gentlemen, is in close watch of the situation arising out of the flash flood in Nepal.
40:56This is as much for India and if required by Nepalese government to head to Nepal.
41:01As per the advisory of the Central Water Commission, the CWC and media reports, I'm quoting from the NDRF statement.
41:07A sudden rise in river water level in the Trishuli River in Nepal, which is around 160 kilometers from Indian
41:14border.
41:14Not much when it comes to instances like this, when the gushing flood water is likely going to enter into
41:21Bihar and Uttar Pradesh.
41:23Because this is while the Nepal-China border, our colleagues and experts have reminded us that Bihar and Uttar Pradesh
41:30governments are also on standby.
41:31They are watching very cautiously and are already making preparations if required to ensure Indian citizens are not harmed.
41:38The flood wave is likely to travel downstream in the Gandak River.
41:41Local authorities in Bihar, Uttar Pradesh, near the border area, especially along the Gandak River, have been advised to remain
41:48alert.
41:49Maintain close monitoring of the situation, especially the water levels.
41:52But because there is an anticipated flood, the NDRF is on high alert.
41:57Chief Minister of Bihar, and for him it's a big test of the situation along the Gandak River, all of
42:03this is being tracked.
42:04Tell us more about this, Shivani, that the NDRF is on standby.
42:10But do we also have NDRF teams who could be heading to Nepal?
42:13Has this been a part of the protocol?
42:16Yes, Pooja, this is the part of the protocol.
42:19When the material will be flying, there will be personnel for sure who will be going along with the material
42:24because there might be medical teams, there might be NDRF personnel who will be flying to Nepal because there is
42:32a requirement from Nepal.
42:34Whenever any kind of a calamity happens, not only in the neighbour countries, but anywhere in the world, India is
42:40the first responder.
42:42Yes.
42:42Even before the requisites are raised from these countries, India offers help and that's what we learned from the sources
42:49of the Ministry of External Affairs.
42:50And then it was also confirmed by the Ministry of External Affairs that India will be flying with the relief
42:56material.
42:57Okay.
42:57The personnel are there who are on a standby.
43:00They will be flown to Nepal.
43:02Then there will be teams, the army engineer teams if required by Nepal for making bridges.
43:08Shivani, keep tracking that for the latest on what exactly is the situation on the ground.
43:12Our colleagues, I can confirm to you without revealing locations that they are already heading to different parts of Bihar
43:18-Uttar Pradesh border areas to help you get your ground perspective of what is it looking like from the Indian
43:23border and how prepared are we?
43:25These visuals are mind-numbing because it tells you about when nature's fury happens, nothing can stop it, nobody can
43:35escape it.
43:36This Kerung office visual is the highlight of what exactly happened.
43:40Investigations will reveal later of the kind of extent of damage that happens, why it happened, could it have been
43:46avoided.
43:46But here's what Brigadier General Raja Ram told me a short while ago.
43:50He's the Nepalese army spokesperson about what is being done as immediate rescue operation.
43:55Here's an excerpt of that conversation.
43:58Let us understand, sir, what is the situation that you are hearing right now?
44:02What kind of arrangements is being done by the army or the air force there?
44:07Yeah, okay. The rescue operation is still going on.
44:12A total of 15 helicopters are deployed into those affected areas.
44:20Till now, 88 people were rescued to the safe areas.
44:26And almost 13 are undergoing treatment at Kathmandu Teaching Hospital.
44:33And the Nepali army with the security agencies are deployed with the helicopters and through the land routes,
44:45especially in four districts, Chitong, Harding, Nuwakut and Rashua.
44:52And the rescue operation is still going on.
44:55So, what is the assessment that you have that happened?
45:00And are there forces deployed in this area already?
45:03Or will you be rushing your deployment toward that?
45:09When we came to know about the incident, the troops were deployed in those areas.
45:13I have already mentioned about the number of helicopters with the special rescue team deployed in those areas.
45:21And they have already rescued 88 people from the most affected area.
45:27Brigadier General Rajaram, if I can just also ask you an understanding about
45:31is there any assistance that you are looking at from India?
45:33If the Indian government is watching this, anything that you require?
45:36Prime Minister of both countries have spoken to each other and India has always been ready.
45:41If there's anything required, would you want to talk about that, sir?
45:45Yeah, especially regarding this coordination, the Nepalese government is doing the coordination from their side.
45:55Sir, also, have you seen anything like that in your long career in the armed forces there?
46:00Is this the first time that Nepal possibly is facing such a calamity in the mountain regions?
46:07Yeah, it's the biggest scale calamity happened today in those areas.
46:15Just a few more final questions, sir.
46:16Can you help us understand what region is this in Nepal?
46:19There are some visuals that show that it was inhabited, densely populated, but I can also see some areas where
46:25there's not much of a population.
46:27So what part of the region is this in Nepal?
46:32It's the mountainous region of Nepal, and you have seen the densely populated houses.
46:41It's in Tirshuli, that's in Noakur district, and that's the capital of Noakur district, that's Tirshuli.
46:53And, sir, are we looking at a massive rescue operation? Are rescue operations difficult in these times?
47:00Because a flash flood can often flatten and wipe away areas.
47:04So what kind of and how do you think the rescue operations are being carried out?
47:08Do you think helicopters, like you're telling me, are going to be the main source to be able to reach
47:13to this place?
47:15Yes, basically due to the weather conditions and, you know, to narrow gorges, you know, that's the difficulties we are
47:24facing while doing the rescue operation.
47:30These are some of the visuals to help you understand about the rescue operations that are on.
47:35There are survivors, thankfully, but many also have lost their lives. 55 for now confirmed.
47:40But the scale is for anyone to imagine, and the rescue personnel already on the job to save as many
47:47as possible.
47:47Time is of essence. India is on standby for any help required.
47:52But about 50 Indians from Tamil Nadu specifically, and otherwise 133 Indians, are missing.
47:58It's going to be a long night.
48:00And India today will ensure to get you all the latest updates on that.
48:03Thank you for watching this bulletin. 7 p.m. Preeti Chaudhuri with the latest.