Nepal floods: Maharashtra govt tracks 80 stranded tourists, helpline active
Synopsis
With mobile networks down and landslides blocking roads in the Nepal-Tibet region, Maharashtra is racing to account for roughly 80 of its citizens caught in the disaster. Only 4 have been contacted so far — and 37 Mansarovar pilgrims from a single vehicle have been confirmed safe, leaving the fate of many others still uncertain.
Key Takeaways
Maharashtra is tracking approximately 80 tourists stranded in the Nepal-Tibet region after severe floods, landslides, and earthquakes.
Disaster Management Minister Girish Mahajan confirmed on 27 August that only 4 tourists have been contacted so far, all confirmed safe.
Approximately 37 passengers from one vehicle arranged by Richard Tours & Travels for the Mansarovar route have been confirmed safe; the remaining travellers are still being traced.
All District Collectors in Maharashtra have been directed to compile lists of recent travellers to the Nepal-Tibet region.
A 24/7 helpline (Toll-Free: 1070 ; Direct: +91-9321587143 ) and an online registration portal have been activated by the Maharashtra State Disaster Management Authority .
The Maharashtra government is working to account for approximately 80 tourists from the state stranded in the Nepal-Tibet region following severe flooding, landslides, and earthquakes that have disrupted communications and transport across the affected areas. Disaster Management Minister Girish Mahajan confirmed on Thursday, 27 August that state authorities are in continuous contact with the Union Government and that relief operations are running round the clock.
What Is Known So Far
Officials have so far made contact with four tourists, confirming they are safe. Details have been collected for roughly 80 individuals from Maharashtra who were travelling in the region. However, communication remains severely impaired due to damaged mobile networks and landline outages in the flood-hit zones, complicating efforts to reach the remaining travellers.
A group of tourists had undertaken the Mansarovar pilgrimage route using two vehicles arranged by Richard Tours & Travels. Approximately 37 passengers in one of the vehicles have been confirmed safe. Efforts to trace the occupants of the second vehicle are ongoing, with landslides continuing to pose serious transportation challenges.
Government Response and Coordination
Minister Mahajan urged families of stranded tourists not to panic, stating that both central and state agencies were leaving no stone unturned to locate every traveller from Maharashtra. All District Collectors across the state have been directed to compile lists of residents who recently travelled to the Nepal-Tibet region, ensuring a ground-level data sweep across all districts.
The Maharashtra State Disaster Management Authority (MSDMA) has activated a dedicated online portal and 24/7 helpline to streamline information collection and coordinate immediate relief. This comes amid a broader humanitarian response to one of the most disruptive natural disaster events to hit the Nepal-Tibet corridor in recent memory.
Helpline Numbers and How to Register
Families of stranded tourists can register details through the official portal or contact the state control room directly. The government has released the following contact information:
State Control Room Toll-Free Number: 1070
Direct Control Room Line: +91-9321587143
Official Email: controlroom@maharashtra.gov.in
Relatives are strongly encouraged to submit complete details of their family members through the official registration link or reach out to the control room immediately, Mahajan said.
What Happens Next
With transportation links severely disrupted by landslides, rescue and verification operations are expected to remain slow-moving. The state government has appealed to the public to share any available information regarding stranded individuals. As connectivity is restored in affected pockets, officials expect the number of confirmed contacts to rise. The focus now shifts to accounting for the remaining travellers and coordinating with central agencies for any evacuation support required.
Point of View
The state is almost entirely dependent on the Union Government and foreign diplomatic channels for real-time information. The fact that only 4 of roughly 80 tracked individuals have been confirmed contacted — days into the crisis — exposes the fragility of communication infrastructure in these zones. Directing District Collectors to compile traveller lists is a sound administrative reflex, but it also signals how little advance data the state holds on its citizens venturing into high-risk international terrain. A pre-travel registration system for pilgrimage routes could significantly reduce this information gap in future disasters.
NationPress
27 Aug 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
How many Maharashtra tourists are stranded in the Nepal floods?
Details have been collected for approximately 80 individuals from Maharashtra stranded in the Nepal-Tibet region following severe floods, landslides, and earthquakes. As of 27 August, officials had confirmed contact with only 4 of them, all of whom were reported safe.
What is the Maharashtra government helpline for Nepal-stranded tourists?
The Maharashtra State Disaster Management Authority has activated a toll-free helpline at 1070 and a direct line at +91-9321587143, both operational 24/7. Families can also email controlroom@maharashtra.gov.in or register details through the official online portal.
Are the Mansarovar pilgrims from Maharashtra safe?
Approximately 37 passengers travelling in one of two vehicles arranged by Richard Tours & Travels for the Mansarovar route have been confirmed safe. Efforts to trace the occupants of the second vehicle are ongoing amid severe transportation disruptions caused by landslides.
What has the Maharashtra government instructed District Collectors to do?
All District Collectors across Maharashtra have been directed by Disaster Management Minister Girish Mahajan to compile lists of residents who recently travelled to the Nepal-Tibet region, enabling a comprehensive state-wide data sweep.
Why is it difficult to contact tourists stranded in the Nepal-Tibet region?
Damaged mobile networks and widespread landline outages have severely impaired communications across the flood and landslide-affected areas. Landslides have also disrupted road transport, making physical access to stranded travellers extremely difficult.
