Devendra Fadnavis takes steps to help Maharashtra tourists in Nepal

MUMBAI: Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis today instructed the officials to keep in touch with tourists from the state in Nepal in the wake of a high-intensity quake rattling the Himalayan state.

Fadnavis also alerted the State Disaster Management team to be prepared for rescue operations at any location in Nepal and India, if required.

"I have instructed state officials to be in touch with tourists from Maharashtra in Nepal and to give all the support and help to them," Fadnavis said.

"I have instructed the State Disaster Management team to be prepared for rescue operations at any location in Nepal and India, if required," he tweeted.

Tremors of the high-intensity earthquake which shook east and north India, with its epicenter in Nepal, were felt in some places in Maharashtra too.

"Tremors were felt in some parts of Maharashtra too. Taking constant updates and monitoring the situation. I urge to take precautions, avoiding panic," the CM said.

"News about Nepal and some parts of India being hit by earthquake is saddening. Praying for strength to stand strong in such sudden calamities," he added.

The state government has set up a cell at the Maharashtra Sadan in Delhi to help people from the state to locate their relatives and near ones in Nepal in the backdrop of today's earthquake.

"This cell, set up as per instructions of Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis, will work in close co-ordination with Ministry of external affairs and home ministry to locate persons in Nepal," an official in the Chief Minister's office said.

The helpline of this cell is 011-23380325 and will work under Sameer Sahai, who is Additional Resident Commissioner of Maharashtra Sadan.

Meanwhile, the government has also given the contact number of Mantralaya control room 022-22027990 to enable people here to find details of relatives, family or close ones.