Nagpur: Some of the over 100 pilgrims who returned to Nagpur from flood-hit Nepal met chief minister Devendra Fadnavis at his Ramgiri residence on Monday and thanked him for the intervention that facilitated their return.Led by Yogesh Gawande, who had spoken to Fadnavis via video call from Nepal, the travellers presented the CM with a bouquet and sweets. “We thanked him. The meeting was brief as the CM had prior engagements,” Gawande said.“It was because of the prompt intervention of CM Fadnavis and MLA Pravin Datke that all 102 of us could safely return and reunite with our families. We will always remain grateful for their support,” Gawande said.The group’s return was initially delayed after flooded and damaged roads forced them to abandon their first attempt to leave Kathmandu. Gawande said MLA Datke subsequently took up the matter with the chief minister’s office, following which arrangements were made for their onward journey. The travellers later crossed into Bihar, where they received food, medical assistance and transit support before reaching Nagpur early Sunday.As per the latest state administration update, 405 citizens from Maharashtra remain affected by the Nepal-Tibet floods. Efforts are under way to bring back 262, while 76 others have been contacted and are safe.Authorities are still trying to establish contact with 67 people, including 60 travelling through Richa Tours Pvt Ltd and seven others registered through an online link. A special central govt team has reached Kathmandu to assist in tracing those yet to be contacted, while Indian Embassy and the state disaster management department are coordinating further efforts.The administration added that 37 citizens returned to Mumbai from Saga near Mansarovar in Tibet on Aug 29, while another 69 were expected to reach Mumbai.
