Bhubaneswar: Several football players from Bhubaneswar are stranded in flood-hit Nepal, but all are safe.
According to reports, a 13-member group, including players, a coach and accompanying members, had gone to Pokhara to play a football match when flash floods devastated parts of the country. Among those stranded are Premananda Rout, Biswajit Barik, Naitik Kumar, Ritesh Kumar and Piyush Kumar. Their phones were unreachable since yesterday, raising concern among family members. Communication has been difficult as floods have damaged infrastructure in several parts of Nepal.
Meanwhile, the coach of the team is now in touch with the Odisha government and has confirmed that all players are safe. He clarified that there is no danger in Pokhara.The team had reached Nepal this morning and is staying in a hotel in Pokhara, which is around 300 km away from the flood-ravaged region. They are in constant contact with their families.
Sources said the match, which was scheduled for today, has been postponed to tomorrow.
It is learnt that the Odisha government has set up a control room in New Delhi and issued helpline numbers to assist people from the state who may be stranded or in distress due to the devastating flash flood in Nepal, officials said.
The helpline numbers are +91-7428135044, +91-8527580245 and 011-23012807, a government statement said.
Pritish Panda, Officer on Special Duty (OSD) at the Directorate of Odisha Paribar, has been appointed the nodal officer for the task.
