Nepal Flood: Karnataka Appoints Nodal Officer To Rescue Stranded Kannadigas
Karnataka has appointed Abhijit Gowda as special nodal officer to coordinate rescue efforts for Kannadigas affected by the Nepal floods and arrange their safe return home.
The Karnataka government has stepped up efforts to locate and bring home residents from the state who have been affected by the severe flood situation in Nepal. Chief Minister DK Shivakumar has assigned the responsibility to Abhijit Gowda, the Chief Minister’s Officer on Special Duty, who will serve as the special nodal officer for the operation.
Gowda will coordinate the search for Karnataka residents who are stranded or currently unaccounted for in Nepal. His responsibilities include collecting information about those affected, coordinating with officials involved in the rescue operation and ensuring that those brought to safety can return to Karnataka without difficulty.
The state government is also maintaining communication with the Union Ministry of External Affairs and other officials involved in assisting Indian citizens in Nepal. The coordination is expected to help the state receive regular updates about the whereabouts and condition of Karnataka residents.
According to information shared by the Chief Minister, 33 people from Karnataka were in Nepal when the situation worsened. Two of them have already returned to India. Several others have been traced, while 14 people are still to be located.
Among those affected, two are reportedly from Mysuru, while the remaining people are from Bengaluru. The state government is working with central authorities to establish contact with those whose whereabouts are yet to be confirmed.
Chief Minister DK Shivakumar has also sought updates from Sameer Shukla, the Resident Commissioner at Karnataka Bhavan, regarding the situation of Kannadigas in Nepal. The government is closely monitoring developments and coordinating with officials as rescue efforts continue.
The state has also planned arrangements for residents who are evacuated from Nepal and brought to Delhi. Officials will receive them in Delhi and facilitate their onward journey to Bengaluru.
If required, the government will arrange temporary accommodation in Delhi for those returning from Nepal. Medical assistance and other necessary support will also be provided depending on the needs of the rescued residents.
The government has said that the priority at present is to establish contact with every Karnataka resident whose status remains unclear. Officials are expected to continue gathering information from central agencies and authorities involved in the Nepal rescue operation.
The appointment of a dedicated nodal officer is intended to streamline communication between Karnataka, the Ministry of External Affairs and authorities assisting people affected by the disaster. This coordination will also help the state respond quickly when new information becomes available.
For families waiting for news about their relatives, the immediate focus remains on locating those who are still unaccounted for and confirming their safety. Karnataka officials are continuing efforts to trace them and facilitate their return once they are brought to safety.
