Chennai: DMK Lok Sabha MP Dayanidhi Maran on Wednesday urged External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar to intervene urgently to rescue and safely repatriate Indian tourists stranded or reported missing in flood-hit Nepal, including nearly 50 people from Tamil Nadu.

A sudden flash flood swept through Nepal's Bhote Koshi river early Wednesday, affecting Rasuwa and Dhading districts near the Tibet border and Nuwakot district southwest of Kathmandu.

The deluge, which surged through the river at around 9 am local time, killed at least four people, damaged settlements and washed away roads and bridges. Several hydropower projects were also affected.

In a letter to Jaishankar, Maran, "writing under the guidance of DMK President M K Stalin", drew attention to the "grave situation" in Nepal and the plight of stranded Indian tourists.

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"Reports indicate that several people have lost their lives and many others, including nearly 50 tourists from Tamil Nadu, remain missing, while rescue operations are being severely hampered by the difficult terrain and continuing flood conditions," Maran stated in the letter.

He said the disaster had caused extensive damage to roads, bridges and other critical infrastructure, severely disrupting communication and transportation networks.

Maran, who represents Chennai Central in the Lok Sabha, said the rapidly changing situation had caused "considerable anxiety" among the families of the tourists in Tamil Nadu.

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He urged the External Affairs Ministry to take immediate steps to locate, rescue and protect those affected. He also sought directions to the Indian Embassy in Nepal and rescue teams to facilitate the safe return of stranded Indians.

PMK president Dr Anbumani Ramadoss also expressed concern over reports that more than 400 Indians, including 57 people from the Kumbakonam area, were stranded in floods in Nepal's North Rasuwa region.

In a statement, Anbumani said the affected tourists were from Thanjavur, Tiruvarur and Mayiladuthurai districts.

"It is reported that 22 of them have been rescued, while there is no information about the others," he wrote on X.

Anbumani urged the Centre and Tamil Nadu government to coordinate with Nepalese authorities to ensure the safe evacuation of all stranded Indians. He also called on the Centre to extend necessary rescue and humanitarian assistance to Nepal.

AMMK leader T T V Dhinakaran also voiced concern over the situation, saying reports of tourists being caught in floods and landslides were deeply shocking and painful.

Dhinakaran said the whereabouts and condition of more than 37 people remained unknown and urged the Prime Minister's Office and the Tamil Nadu Chief Minister to coordinate with officials from the Ministry of External Affairs and the state government to secure their safe return.