‘320 Indians Remain Uncontactable or Missing’: MEA Gives Nepal Flood Update

In an updated press briefing on the flood situation in Nepal, Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) Official Spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal confirmed that 320 Indian nationals remain uncontactable or missing following catastrophic flash flooding along the Nepal-Tibet border corridors. He added that efforts are active across multiple agencies to reconcile missing lists and track stranded citizens.

The spokesperson also revealed that roughly 100 foreign nationals of Indian origin-many of whom were traveling for the Kailash Mansarovar Yatra-remain untraceable at present.

Rescued Pilgrims Land in New Delhi

Providing significant relief on rescue operations, Jaiswal announced that 21 Indian nationals from Tamil Nadu arrived safely in New Delhi after being evacuated from flood-impacted areas to Kathmandu. India’s Ambassador to Nepal, Naveen Srivastava, met the group in Kathmandu to oversee their well-being prior to their departure for India. Nepal Flood Death Toll Hits 538, 977 Missing as Fresh Heavy Rain Warnings Issued.

The evacuation follows the rescue of 63 Indian workers stationed at the Trishuli-1 hydroelectric project, who were moved to safe locations after floodwaters battered the infrastructure facility.

Cross-Border Evacuations and Stranded Citizens

Providing updates on cross-border operations near the Tibetan border, the MEA confirmed that 96 Indian nationals previously stranded on the Chinese side have safely crossed the land border back into Nepal. Diplomatic and local coordination is underway to move them toward Kathmandu for further evacuation.

Additionally, approximately 400 Indian nationals currently on the Chinese side of the border remain safe and in active communication with their families and embassy officials as cellular networks in the area remain functional.

Emergency Relief Consignments Reach Nepal

To support neighbor-first relief measures, India continues to air-lift Humanitarian Assistance and Disaster Relief (HADR) supplies directly to Kathmandu. After sending two initial relief flights carrying 47.5 tonnes of supplies, a third flight carrying around 12 to 13 tonnes of emergency aid—including portable generators, dignity kits, food, and water purification tablets—was scheduled to push total Indian relief aid to roughly 60 tonnes. Nepal Issues Fresh Flood Alert After 5.1-Magnitude Earthquake Hits China’s Sichuan.

The MEA Delhi control room and embassy helpline numbers in Kathmandu and Beijing continue operating 24x7 to support affected families:

• MEA Delhi Control Room: +91 11 2308 8718 / +91 11 2308 8719

• WhatsApp Helpline: +91 9968291988

• Indian Embassy (Kathmandu): +977 985 131 6807 / +977 970 910 7500

• Indian Embassy (Beijing): +86 185 1428 4905

Glacial Burst Triggers Downstream Impact

The sudden deluge was triggered by a glacier collapse and rock-ice avalanche in the Himalayan range along the Nepal-Tibet border. The resulting torrent swept through the Bhote Koshi and Trishuli river basins, washing out key highway connections, telecom towers, and border checkpoints, while putting downstream river regions in northern Indian states on high alert. Rescue operations by ground forces and air crews remain underway despite terrain challenges.

(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Aug 28, 2026 05:43 PM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).