Karnataka Deputy Chief Minister DK Shivakumar said yesterday that the state government is collecting information about Kannadigas who may be stranded in flood-hit areas of Nepal and is working to bring them back to Karnataka as soon as possible.
Shivakumar said in Delhi that the government had been trying to collect details of Kannadigas affected by the flood situation. But in any case, he said, the government had not received complete and accurate information about the number of people affected.
Some Kannadigas who are stranded in Nepal have already made contact with the authorities, he said. The government is monitoring the situation and trying to ensure that all the information is being verified from different sources, he said.
Karnataka collecting details of stranded Kannadigas
Shivakumar said the immediate priority was to collect accurate information about Kannadigas who are currently in Nepal and may require assistance.
We are collecting information, he said, indicating that the government was still trying to determine what number of people could be affected.
Because the lack of full information has made it difficult to determine the total number of Kannadigas who are stranded in the flood-hit areas, authorities are therefore attempting to contact those travelling in Nepal and check the status of the people in Nepal and verify their location and safety status.
The Deputy Chief Minister said that some people are already in contact with the authorities. He said two people are already in contact.
Government Working To Bring Them Back
Shivakumar assured that efforts would be made to bring the affected Kannadigas back at the earliest possible opportunity.
He said the government would consolidate the information being collected and take steps to facilitate the return of Kannadigas who are stranded or require assistance.
The statement comes as authorities are monitoring the flood situation in Nepal. Floods, such as they are, can disrupt roads and transport and communication networks, and people living in areas affected cannot immediately contact their families or authorities.
For families in Karnataka who may have relatives who are in Nepal, knowing where their family members are and how they are doing is a concern.
Focus On Verification And Rescue
The Karnataka government’s immediate task is to compile a reliable database of those who may be affected, such as where they are and how they are in contact.
Shivakumar also said that the government has not yet had a final estimate on the number of Kannadigas affected by the floods. So the authorities are relying on information from individuals and communities and other sources to assess the situation on the ground.
The Deputy Chief Minister said once the information was consolidated, efforts would be made to bring Kannadigas back as quickly as possible.
Two Kannadigas In Contact
Among the information available to the Karnataka government, two people have been confirmed to be in contact with authorities.
They are still searching for information on more people who may have been traveling in Nepal or staying in areas affected by flooding, officials said. The government will examine the situation as more details are revealed and will assess the situation as it expands, officials said.
For now, we are focusing on establishing contact with those who may need help and on their safe return.
Karnataka Government Monitoring Situation
The development is a testimony to the need to coordinate state agencies and agencies that help Indian citizens during emergencies abroad, the report added. Kannadigas in the affected areas are being identified, and assistance is being determined.
Shivakumar said the government would make all possible efforts to complete the information-gathering process and bring stranded Kannadigas home at the earliest.
The Karnataka government will be giving further updates after it has been given verified information on the number, location, and condition of Kannadigas affected by the floods in Nepal.
