Bhubaneswar, Aug 27 — Odisha Youth and Sports Services and Odia Language, Literature & Culture Minister Suryabanshi Suraj on Thursday said the state government is in constant touch with the Government of India and its officials to trace and assist Odia tourists and others stranded in Nepal following the devastating flash floods.
Speaking to IANS, Suraj said the government is closely monitoring the situation and maintaining contact with all available nodal officers and officials of the Union Home Department.
He informed that a group of around six football players from Khordha district, who were in Nepal, are safe and secure. The players are reportedly staying nearly 300 km away from the worst‑affected area. Officials are in regular contact with their coach, and the group is scheduled to return on August 30.
The minister said a national-level institution had taken the players to a private location for a football‑related programme.
The government has contacted their families and is continuously monitoring their safety and movement. An Odisha government officer has also been assigned to remain in constant touch with stranded Odias and coordinate assistance.
The state government has issued a helpline number to assist families whose relatives are in Nepal. Suraj said communication has been severely affected in several areas due to damage to network infrastructure following the flash floods, making it difficult for many people to contact their families.
He said Odisha authorities are coordinating with officials deployed by the Government of India in Nepal to identify and assist people from the state and inform their families. The minister said the exact number of Odia tourists and others affected is not yet available and may take another day or two to compile.
He added that many tourists have already started returning from Nepal, while officials are closely tracking those still there.
Notably, an Odia couple identified as Sandeep Mohapatra and Siddharthi Kumari Sahu are still missing. The couple belong to Khordha district and have been staying in Australia since 2018. They reached Nepal on August 22 on vacation. The state government revealed that their phone numbers are switched off. Officials have collected all their details from Mohapatra’s sister and shared them with the Ministry of External Affairs, Government of India, for necessary action.