Kolkata, August 27, 2026 (Yes Punjab News)
The West Bengal government on Thursday confirmed that 36 people from the state are missing in Nepal following devastating flash floods, with efforts underway to verify their whereabouts and coordinate assistance.
The missing tourists are believed to be from different parts of West Bengal, including Kolkata, Sonarpur in South 24 Parganas, Basirhat in North 24 Parganas, Durgapur in West Burdwan, Tarakeshwar in Hooghly and Siliguri in Darjeeling district.
Uncertainty over the number of missing people had emerged from different quarters since Wednesday night. Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari had earlier said the state government was working to establish and verify the exact number of people from West Bengal who were missing or affected by the floods.
“The Government of West Bengal is actively coordinating with the Embassy of India in Kathmandu and proper administrative channels. The exact number of missing or affected persons from West Bengal is currently being ascertained, and verification is underway,” Adhikari said in a statement.
He said information about those stranded was being sought and monitored in real time to facilitate prompt assistance and rescue.
The Chief Minister also announced a dedicated control room at the West Bengal Police headquarters at Bhabani Bhavan in South Kolkata, along with two helpline numbers, to coordinate information and assistance.
According to information available so far, most of the 36 missing people were part of a group of pilgrims from West Bengal who travelled to Nepal on a tour organised by a Kolkata-based travel agency. Two employees of the agency are also among those missing.
Dibyajyoti Basu, founder of the tour operator ‘Cholo Jai’, confirmed that the agency’s Kolkata office lost contact with the group on Wednesday.
Meanwhile, families of some of the missing tourists have begun travelling to Kathmandu to seek information about their relatives and ascertain their safety.
FOLLOW NOW
