The sudden flooding caused widespread destruction in Timure in Rasuwa district of Nepal. (AT Photo)
Shillong, Aug 27: The Meghalaya Disaster Management Authority (SDMA), on Thursday, urged the public to share information about residents from the state whose whereabouts could not be confirmed following the flash floods in Nepal, and opened a dedicated helpline to help trace them.
The SDMA said it is seeking information on anyone from Meghalaya who may have been in the affected areas or whose whereabouts could not be confirmed following the disaster.
Family members, relatives, friends, travel agencies, tour operators and members of the public with information about such persons have been urged to contact the authorities.
A dedicated helpline, 6009924512, has been made available for the purpose. People can also contact 112 or 1070 in case of emergencies and CM Connect at 1971, the SDMA said.
Those providing information have been requested to share the missing person's name and age, contact number, address in Meghalaya, last known location in Nepal, and the date and time of their last communication.
The information will be compiled and shared with the authorities concerned for verification and necessary assistance, the SDMA said.
The appeal comes amid a large-scale rescue operation in Nepal following devastating flash floods along parts of the Nepal-Tibet border.
Nearly 300 Indian tourists are among thousands of people reported missing, Nepal Foreign Minister Shisir Khanal said on Thursday. The death toll from the disaster has risen to 177.
The latest estimate marks a sharp increase from figures reported a day earlier, when at least 133 Indians and 37 non-resident Indians (NRIs) were among nearly 500 people reported missing.
The Indian Embassy in Kathmandu has been coordinating with the Nepal government and other authorities on rescue and relief operations for Indian nationals affected by the floods.
PTI