Nearly 300 Israelis still missing in India due to floods, Israel's foreign ministry reports
The Israeli Foreign Ministry says that 290 Israelis still have not made contact with their families following deadly floods in northern India earlier this week.
India, a popular destination for young Israeli backpackers, in particular, often suffers from heavy monsoon rains, which destroy the nation's inadequate infrastructure and also block transportation.
Israel sent Deputy Ambassador Ohad Nakash Kaynar to India to help track down the missing, stranded Israeli travelers.
“Sometimes diplomacy includes rolling down sleeves and getting busy,” Kaynar said.
There are no reports of Israeli casualties so far during the heavy flooding that has claimed at least 41 lives so far.
Israeli traveler Didi Frankel told the Ynet news outlet about the difficult conditions in the affected region.
“We were stuck for three days without electricity or cell service. We weren’t afraid and there was no shortage of food. We were mostly stressed because people would be worried in Israel,” he said.
“There were one or two hostels that had generators, so we went there. We know there are a lot more Israelis in Kasol who are afraid to leave because of the uncertainty,” added Frankel.
“In three days, the rain destroyed all the infrastructure. It wasn’t clear if we could leave. We said, ‘Let’s try,’” he recalled.
Landslides, flash floods and torrential rains have swept away houses and bridges in the area, causing schools to close because of submerged roads.
India, which recently surpassed China as the world’s most populous country, has developed close military and commercial ties with the Jewish state.
Israeli Foreign Minister Eli Cohen traveled to India in May to strengthen the already robust bilateral relations between India and Israel.
"This important political visit to India aims to deepen Israel’s strategic partnership with one of the world's greatest powers,” stated Cohen at the time.
The All Israel News Staff is a team of journalists in Israel.
