Hot line service for Kathmandu victims

As the Telugu pilgrims are also stranded at Kailash Mansarover, the AP government initiated helpline activities.

Embassy of India, Kathmandu is monitoring the situation along Nepalganj-Simikot-Hilsa route of Kailash Mansarovar Yatra (through Nepal).

As of Jul 3rd morning, the weather situation remains inclement and there is very little chance of operating evacuation flights.

As per the latest information available with the Mission, there are about 525 pilgrims stranded in Simikot, 550 in Hilsa and another 500 more in Tibet side.

The Mission has taken actions including; placing its representatives in Nepalganj and Simikot, who are personally in touch with each and every stranded pilgrim. The representatives are ensuring that proper food and lodging facilities are available to all the pilgrims, according to available information with the AP Chief Minister Nara Chandrababu Naidu's office by morning, Tuesday.

The mission representative in Simikot has pressed in service of available medical practitioner in Simikot to get a health check up done for all elderly pilgrims. In case of any medical complication, they are being given preventive medication and medical counseling of dos and don’ts.

The mission representative in Simikot is also in touch with police authorities at police check post in Hilsa. Police authorities have been requested to take care of all the pilgrims and ensure best possible assistance to them, informed CMO office.

Mission has asked all tour operators to try and hold pilgrims back in Tibet side as far as possible since the medical and civic facilities on Nepal side are inadequate. They have further been told to accord first priority in clearing up situation in Hilsa, which is the most infrastructure lean place in the area

Mission is looking at various alternatives of evacuating people from Simikot, including searching for alternative routes (Simikot-Surkhet/Simikot-Jumla/Simikot-Mugu). All these routes, however, appear to be as difficult as Simikot-Nepalganj. It is also trying to press in services of Nepal Army helicopters, which have superior abilities of operating in difficult terrain

Mission is setting up a hot line for pilgrims and their family members.

Telugu people could direct contact with hotline service at +977-9808082292. Mr. Pindi Naresh will attend the calls.

For more information the victims families can also contact Dr. Arja Srikanth Commissioner, AP Bhavan, New Delhi.