BJP Andhra Pradesh president P.V.N. Madhav has expressed deep shock over the devastating floods in the Himalayan region along the Nepal–Tibet border, and called for urgent efforts to ensure the safety of Telugu people stranded in the affected areas.In a statement on Thursday, Mr. Madhav said the sudden surge in the Bhotekoshi river had caused extensive loss of life and property in Nepal’s Rasuwa district. The scale of the disaster, including reports of villages being swept away and damage to hydropower projects, reflected the severity of the situation, he said.Expressing condolences to the families of those who lost their lives, Mr. Madhav hoped that the missing persons would be traced soon, and rescue and relief operations intensified.He urged the governments to give special attention to tourists, pilgrims and other people from Andhra Pradesh and Telangana, who were stranded in Nepal. Referring to reports that several people from Visakhapatnam were among those affected, he appealed to the authorities to take all steps to ensure their safe return.Mr. Madhav said the Centre and State governments should work in close coordination and extend all possible assistance to bring stranded Indian nationals safely back to the country. He also noted that the Union government was already extending assistance to Nepal in dealing with the disaster.Highlighting the increasing vulnerability of Himalayan regions to extreme weather events, he said climate change and environmental degradation could intensify such natural disasters. He called for collective global efforts to protect the Himalayan ecosystem and glaciers.The State BJP would stand by the people of Nepal and all families affected by the disaster, Mr. Madhav said.YSRCP MP pleaMeanwhile, YSRCP MP M. Gurumoorthy appealed to the Indian High Commission in Nepal and the Ministry of External Affairs to extend immediate assistance to people from Andhra Pradesh affected by the floods in Nepal.In separate letters to the Indian High Commissioner in Nepal and External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar, the YSRCP leader urged the authorities to ensure the safety, medical care and early evacuation of Andhra Pradesh residents stranded in the flood-hit areas.The MP sought priority medical attention for those requiring treatment and requested the authorities to intensify rescue and search operations to trace missing persons. He also appealed for necessary arrangements to facilitate the safe return of those stranded.According to information received by Mr. Gurumoorthy’s office, a group of 26 travellers — 14 from Visakhapatnam and 12 from Telangana — had reached a safe location in Kathmandu. The group was awaiting arrangements to return to India, he said.Mr. Gurumoorthy urged the Indian High Commission and the Ministry of External Affairs to take steps to facilitate their safe and early return. Published - August 27, 2026 08:09 pm IST