India steps up rescue efforts in flood-hit Nepal as 275 Indians remain missing

More than 275 Indians remained missing and 108 others had been rescued after the flash floods along the Nepal-Tibet border four days ago, the Ministry of External Affairs said on Saturday. The ministry also said 128 persons of Indian origin remained uncontactable.The MEA said 598 Indian nationals had safely crossed into Nepal from China in the last two days, while around 900 Indians were still on the Chinese side but were "safe and contactable".

It also said India had sent fresh relief material and technical teams to support rescue and recovery efforts in Nepal.In a statement, the MEA said, "Till date, 108 Indian nationals have been rescued in Nepal, and contact was re-established with around 50 Indian nationals who were earlier uncontactable. Furthermore, 598 Indian nationals have safely crossed into Nepal from China in the last two days, as per local government sources in China.""

Around 900 Indian nationals are still on the Chinese side but are safe and contactable. Unfortunately, more than 275 Indian nationals and 128 persons of Indian origin remain missing or non-contactable," it said.The ministry said four Indian nationals – Ripu Kumar, Chaneshwar Narzary, Kripa Shankar and Mohammed Minhajuddin – were rescued from a hydropower project in Rasuwa and were expected to reach Kathmandu soon. Rasuwa was among the areas severely hit by the floods.According to the latest details shared by Nepali authorities, the death toll from Wednesday's flash floods in Nepal has risen to 675 as more bodies were recovered and search and rescue operations continued.The MEA said the government of India had been working closely with the Nepali and Chinese authorities because many Indian nationals were affected on both the Nepali side and the Chinese side.

It said a round-the-clock control room had been set up in the ministry, and separate helplines had been made operational in the Indian embassies in Kathmandu and Beijing." Our embassies in Kathmandu and Beijing have also remained engaged with all the relevant stakeholders to ensure effective coordination of search, rescue and relief efforts, in connection with Indian nationals impacted by the flash flood," it said.The ministry added that the missions were also working to ensure the safety and well-being of rescued Indians, facilitate their return to India where required, and monitor and support the transit of Indian nationals returning from the Kailash Manasarovar Yatra through Nepal.Late on Friday night, India sent a fourth tranche of 11 tonnes of relief material to Nepal on board an Indian Air Force C-130J military transport aircraft.

External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar said the aircraft also carried a technical contingent, equipment for search and rescue operations, and a team of forensic experts with forensic equipment for DNA analysis.The forensic team will help Nepali authorities identify the mortal remains of those killed in the floods.Jaishankar also said on social media that 16 trucks carrying equipment for a 230-foot "Single Lane Modular Steel Bridge" had reached Nepal.

"Equipment for installation of seven more Bailey bridges will be supplied soon. Technical teams for their installation are expected to reach shortly," he added.On India's assistance to Nepal, the MEA said a specialised technical team for tunnel reconnaissance and rescue had been sent to the neighbouring country and had started work on Saturday in the affected area.It said, "Based on their recommendation, a specialised tunnel rescue team from India with equipment is expected to reach Nepal today."

With this, India has so far sent a total of 68.5 tonnes of relief material to Nepal, while rescue, identification and evacuation efforts for affected Indian nationals continue.- EndsPublished By: India Today Web Desk Published On: Aug 30, 2026 07:16 IST