Delhi: As Nepal battles a severe flood situation, 288 Indian nationals remain uncontactable, including groups from Tamil Nadu, Kerala and West Bengal, the Ministry of External Affairs said. Twenty-one Tamil Nadu nationals who had travelled for the Kailash Mansarovar Yatra have been rescued.

MEA spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal said the government is working to establish contact with the stranded Indians and coordinate their evacuation. A special control room has been set up at the Ministry of External Affairs to assist Indian nationals affected by the situation in Nepal.

Among those who remain uncontactable are 73 Indians working on the Trishuli-1 power project, the MEA said. The Indian Embassy in Kathmandu is in touch with the project head to obtain more information about them.

Two groups of 37 and 49 nationals from Tamil Nadu, who travelled for the Kailash Mansarovar Yatra through Samrat and Fly Everest Travels, are also among those whose whereabouts are being followed.

A group of 32 Indian nationals from West Bengal is stranded in Timure in Nepal's Rasuwa district. The group had travelled with the help of Samrat Travels.

The MEA also identified a group of 61 Indian nationals from different states and another group of 33 Indians from Kerala. These five major groups together account for around 288 Indian nationals who remain uncontactable.

21 Tamil Nadu pilgrims rescued

The MEA said 21 Indian nationals from Tamil Nadu who travelled for the Kailash Mansarovar Yatra have been rescued in Nepal.

Jaiswal also said around 200 Indian nationals stranded on the Chinese side after travelling for the Mansarovar Yatra have sought India's assistance for evacuation.

Of these, 95 are in Garchan and were proceeding towards Bilsa to cross into Nepal. Four are in Geelong city, while 13 are in Zutulpo and were travelling towards Saga.

“We are in a dynamic situation,” Jaiswal said.

Special control room set up

The Ministry of External Affairs has set up a special control room to coordinate assistance amid the flood situation in Nepal.

Jaiswal said Prime Minister Narendra Modi had spoken to the Prime Minister of Nepal on Wednesday, conveyed India's deepest condolences and expressed solidarity with the people of Nepal. He also offered all possible assistance from India.

The Indian Embassy in Kathmandu is continuing to coordinate with those on the ground as efforts are underway to establish contact with the 288 Indian nationals.