MEA issues advisory as unrest rocks Nepal

India on Tuesday issued a strong advisory to its citizens in view of the worsening situation in Nepal, where violent protests since yesterday have claimed several young lives.

The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) said it was “deeply saddened by the loss of many young lives” and urged all sides in Nepal to “exercise restraint and address issues through peaceful means and dialogue.”

Noting that authorities had imposed curfew in Kathmandu and several other cities, the MEA advised Indian nationals in Nepal to stay indoors and follow local safety advisories. “Indian citizens presently in Nepal are advised to shelter in their current places of residence, avoid going out onto the streets and exercise all due caution,” the statement said. It also urged Indians to defer non-essential travel to Nepal until the situation stabilises.

For assistance, the Indian Embassy in Kathmandu has made available two helpline numbers ( 977-980 860 2881 and 977-981 032 6134), which can also be reached via WhatsApp.

The unrest has severely hit travel as Kathmandu’s Tribhuvan International Airport has been shut down. Indian airlines have announced cancellations and waivers for affected passengers.

Air India said passengers with confirmed bookings to or from Kathmandu until September 11, on tickets issued up to September 9, would be eligible for a one-time waiver on rescheduling charges.

SpiceJet cancelled all flights to and from Kathmandu for September 10, informing passengers through SMS and email. IndiGo also suspended its Kathmandu operations until further notice, offering passengers the option of alternate flights or refunds.

Airlines said they were closely monitoring the situation and coordinating with local authorities to restore services as soon as possible.