16 Keralites return safely from Nepal; 7 still unreachable, says CM Satheesan
Synopsis
Sixteen Keralites are home, but seven — including four Australian-origin Keralites — remain uncontacted after Nepal's flash floods and glacial avalanche disrupted the Himalayan travel corridor. CM Satheesan is coordinating with the Ministry of External Affairs, while Padma Shri architect G. Shankar's last-minute trip cancellation on 21 August spared him from the disaster's path.
Key Takeaways
16 Keralites , including a 14-member Kochi group , have returned safely from Nepal as of 29 August .
45 travellers have been confirmed safe across Nepal and Indian transit locations.
7 people remain uncontacted, including 4 Australian citizens of Kerala origin ; their cases are being handled by the Ministry of External Affairs .
NORKA Roots and the Delhi NRK Development Office are facilitating return travel under Chief Minister's Office directions.
Padma Shri architect G.
Shankar narrowly avoided the disaster after cancelling his Kailash Manasarovar pilgrimage on 21 August .
Kerala Chief Minister V.D. Satheesan on Saturday, 29 August confirmed that 16 Keralites — including a 14-member group from Kochi — have returned home safely from Nepal, while 45 travellers have been confirmed safe across Nepal and Indian transit locations. Arrangements are underway to bring the remaining stranded travellers back, he said.
Key Developments
Among those who have returned are Sruthi Shikhamani of Kakkanad and Rineeth Mohan of Piravom, Satheesan confirmed in a post on X. However, seven people remain uncontacted, including four Australian citizens of Kerala origin, whose details are being coordinated with the Ministry of External Affairs.
Under directions from the Chief Minister's Office, NORKA Roots and the Delhi NRK Development Office are continuing to facilitate transit and return travel arrangements for those reaching India.
The Disaster That Triggered the Crisis
The update comes amid sustained concern over Keralites caught in the aftermath of devastating flash floods and a glacial avalanche along the Nepal-Tibet border, which severely disrupted travel through the Himalayan region. The disaster has left families across Kerala anxious about the fate of relatives who were travelling in the area.
Padma Shri Architect G. Shankar's Near Miss
Architect and Padma Shri awardee G. Shankar, whose cancelled Kailash Manasarovar pilgrimage had placed him on the same route days before the disaster, issued a fresh social media post on Saturday expressing gratitude for the outpouring of concern. His earlier post had received over 5.5 lakh views and thousands of messages.
'Wading through an ocean of love, affection and care,' Shankar wrote. He also urged caution: 'Keep Nepal in your thoughts. Tread on with soft steps. For disasters are just beneath your feet.'
Shankar had been scheduled to undertake the pilgrimage with the Mohanji Foundation, with an itinerary covering Kathmandu, Manasarovar, Saga for acclimatisation, and then Darchen. He and his wife cancelled the trip on 21 August after their son strongly urged them not to travel — a decision that proved critical as the disaster struck the route shortly afterwards.
What Happens Next
State and central agencies remain in active coordination to trace the seven uncontacted individuals, with particular attention to the four Australian-origin Keralites whose cases have been escalated to the Ministry of External Affairs. Shankar said he hopes to return to the Himalayas 'with care, caution and hope' once conditions permit.
Point of View
Coordination between state welfare bodies like NORKA Roots and the Ministry of External Affairs is rarely seamless. The fact that four Australian-origin Keralites remain uncontacted days after the Nepal-Tibet disaster points to gaps in pre-travel registration and consular outreach. G. Shankar's near miss will dominate the narrative, but the harder story is the seven still unreachable — and whether state machinery can close that gap before the news cycle moves on.
NationPress
30 Aug 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
How many Keralites have returned safely from Nepal after the floods?
As of 29 August, 16 Keralites have returned home safely, including a 14-member group from Kochi. A total of 45 travellers have been confirmed safe across Nepal and Indian transit locations, according to Kerala Chief Minister V.D. Satheesan.
How many Keralites are still uncontacted after the Nepal disaster?
Seven people remain uncontacted as of 29 August, including four Australian citizens of Kerala origin. Their details are being coordinated with the Ministry of External Affairs.
What caused Keralites to be stranded in Nepal?
Devastating flash floods and a glacial avalanche along the Nepal-Tibet border disrupted travel through the Himalayan region, leaving several Kerala travellers stranded or out of contact.
Who is G. Shankar and why is his story significant?
G. Shankar is a Kerala-based architect and Padma Shri awardee who had planned a Kailash Manasarovar pilgrimage along the affected route. He and his wife cancelled the trip on 21 August after their son urged them not to travel — a decision that kept them out of harm's way when the disaster struck shortly after.
Which agencies are helping stranded Keralites return from Nepal?
NORKA Roots and the Delhi NRK Development Office are facilitating transit and return travel arrangements under directions from the Chief Minister's Office. The Ministry of External Affairs is also involved in tracing the seven uncontacted individuals.
