21 Tamil Nadu residents rescued from Nepal arrive in Chennai

Rural Development Minister N. Anand received the returnees at the Chennai airport on Friday. | Photo credit: Special arrangement

Twenty-one Tamil Nadu residents who were among the rescued pilgrims from Nepal arrived in Chennai late on Friday night after being brought back to India via New Delhi.

The pilgrims, who hail from Chidambaram and Mayiladuthurai, were part of a group of friends and relatives traveling together. They were evacuated from Nepal after flash floods left several Indian tourists and pilgrims stranded.

On their return, one of the pilgrims said they were shifted to a relief camp and later to a military camp before being taken to the Indian embassy. From there, they were airlifted to New Delhi as part of the evacuation effort and subsequently traveled to Chennai.

“We were traveling in three vans. Fortunately, our van was on a bend when a huge wave hit the road in front of us. Two other vans were standing nearby, but our vehicle managed to escape and the floods did not catch us. We were contacted two or three times by the Indian embassy and the state government also provided assistance,” said the pilgrim.

Rural Development Minister N. Anand was among those who received the pilgrims in Chennai. N. Anand said that the State Government was taking all necessary measures for the safe return of the pilgrims and their welfare. He said the four ministers are coordinating the measures and are in regular consultation with Chief Minister C. Joseph Vijay.

Earlier on Friday, Union External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar along with Tamil Nadu Ministers Aadhav Arjuna, Rajmohan, R. Vinoth and K. Thennaras welcomed 21 pilgrims from Tamil Nadu in New Delhi after their rescue from Nepal.

Published – 28 Aug 2026 23:22 IST