200 people from Karnataka stranded in Nepal

Around 200 people from various parts of Karnataka are reported to be stranded in quake-hit Nepal, an official said on Saturday.

"Our control room got about 300 calls since afternoon from across the state asking for information about the grave situation in Nepal or giving us details of their near and dear ones to find out about their welfare or whereabouts," Karnataka Disaster Management Authority (KDMA) director K.K. Pradeep told IANS.

The state government has deputed Indian Administrative Service (IAS) officer Pankaj Kumar Pande and Indian Police Service officer Umesh Kumar to Kathmandu to ensure the safe return of the people.

"Chief Minister Siddaramaiah has directed us to coordinate rescue and relief efforts along with the central government to help the stranded people from Karnataka in Nepal," Pradeep said.

Many of the people stranded in Nepal were pilgrims or tourists to the Himalayan nation.

"We have been able to contact a group of 85 people from the state from the phone numbers their kin gave to the emergency control room. They are safe. With communication lines snapped due to collapse of mobile networks, we are finding it difficult to contact many of the stranded people," he said.

The state government has set up four helplines, including a toll free number (1070), to enquire or give details about their kith and kin who may have travelled to Nepal and are stranded.

Among the stranded are people from Bengaluru, Mysuru, Hassan, Belagavi, Davengere and Chitradurga.