GUWAHATI: Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma on Friday said authorities have so far established the details of 12 people from the state who remain untraced in Nepal following devastating flash floods, and that efforts are under way to establish contact with them and ensure their safe rescue.
In a post on X, Sarma wrote: “Till now we have been able to establish details of 12 people from Assam who are yet to be traced in Nepal. Efforts are underway to establish connection with them and safely rescue them.” The update followed an earlier statement in which he said the government was aware of Assamese residents stranded in the neighbouring country, was in touch with their families, and was coordinating with relevant agencies for their safety and earliest possible return.
The list shared by the chief minister includes Rhituopurno Brahma, Montri Basumatary and Soneswar Narzary of Daidak village under Dokmoka police station in Karbi Anglong; Rahul Daimary of Jaipukhuri under Merapani police station in Golaghat; Shatadal Nath of Doboka in Hojai; Pankaj Naug of Rukmini Gaon in Guwahati; Pankaj Barman, Arun Mahanta and Samar Bezbaruah of Nalbari; Dr Dipali Sarkar and Manash Kr Ghosh of Lankeshwar in Guwahati; and Dr Tirtha Chaliha of Nalbari Medical College and Hospital.
Some of those named had gone to Nepal in search of work, including at hydropower project sites in the affected region. Families of at least two individuals on the list later confirmed they were safe, though official verification of all cases continued.
The Assam State Disaster Management Authority and state officials have been coordinating with the Ministry of External Affairs and Nepalese authorities. An emergency help desk was set up at Assam House in New Delhi, with helpline numbers provided for families seeking information.
The flash floods, triggered by an ice-rock avalanche linked to a glacial collapse near the Nepal-Tibet border on August 26, sent torrents of water, mud and debris through central Nepal. The disaster damaged hydropower projects, roads, bridges and settlements, and left hundreds dead and nearly 2,000 people missing across the affected districts according to Nepalese authorities. Rescue and relief operations continued amid difficult terrain, disrupted communications and the risk of further flooding.
Sarma’s intervention reflects the Assam government’s ongoing efforts to track and support its citizens caught in the catastrophe across the border. Officials said contact has yet to be fully established with all those listed, and the situation remains fluid as search teams work in the disaster zone.
