Nepal Flash Flood: PM Narendra Modi Speaks to Balendra Shah, Says ‘India Stands in Solidarity’
PM Narendra Modi spoke to Prime Minister Balendra Shah and offered India’s humanitarian assistance after a sudden Bhote Koshi River flood. A preliminary Nepal Tourism Board list says 384 travellers are missing, including 291 foreign nationals and 93 Nepali citizens. At least 105 Indians are among the missing foreigners.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Wednesday, August 26, spoke to Nepal Prime Minister Balendra Shah and conveyed his condolences over the loss of lives caused by flash floods in the neighbouring country. Modi said India stands in solidarity with the people of Nepal and is ready to provide all possible humanitarian assistance, as rescue operations continue after a sudden surge in the Bhote Koshi River.
The flooding has caused extensive damage in Nepal’s Rasuwa district and other areas, with villages, roads, bridges and hydropower infrastructure affected. A preliminary list from the Nepal Tourism Board shows 384 travellers reported missing, including 291 foreign nationals and 93 Nepali citizens. At least 105 Indians are among the missing foreign nationals, although authorities are still verifying the figures. Nepal Flood Videos: What We Know About the Devastation and 105 Missing Indians.
PM Narendra Modi Speaks to Balendra Shah
Spoke to Prime Minister Balendra Shah and conveyed condolences on the loss of lives due to the floods in Nepal. The people of India stand in solidarity with their sisters and brothers in Nepal at this difficult time.
India is ready to provide all possible humanitarian…
— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) August 26, 2026
Nepal Flash Floods Videos
This is seriously scary. CCTV footage from Gyirong Port in Tibet, China, directly opposite Nepal’s Rasuwa district. This flash flood hit here first and later caused massive havoc in Nepal. Can’t even imagine someone surviving this. Prayers for everyone affected. 🙏 https://t.co/o805P8KGSu pic.twitter.com/31QzZ64aBD
— Nikhil saini (@iNikhilsaini) August 26, 2026
🇳🇵 This is Nepal after a devastating flash flood hit key areas and one of its major rivers. 🌊
The terrifying visuals show the sheer scale of destruction caused by the floods.#NepalFlood #FlashFlood #Nepal #FloodAlert pic.twitter.com/2xDA2mOLsU
— Payall Singhh (@PayallSingh13) August 26, 2026
Nepal flash flood –
नेपाली मीडिया रिपोर्ट के मुताबिक, अभी तक 32 पुलिसकर्मियों, 25 पिलग्रिम सहित बड़ी संख्या में लोगों के लापता होने की सूचना है। मतलब इनसे संपर्क कट गया है। हैलिकॉप्टरों ने 12 लोगों को सुरक्षित रेस्क्यू किया है। कई हाइड्रो पॉवर प्रोजेक्ट बह गए हैं।
पत्रकार… https://t.co/C6kuBf1HJp pic.twitter.com/UsZRTxSdX9
— Sachin Gupta (@Sachingupta) August 26, 2026
PM Modi Speaks To Nepal Prime Minister
“Spoke to Prime Minister Balendra Shah and conveyed condolences on the loss of lives due to the floods in Nepal. The people of India stand in solidarity with their sisters and brothers in Nepal at this difficult time. India is ready to provide all possible humanitarian assistance to Nepal. Our teams are coordinating closely on rescue and relief efforts @PM_nepal_ @ShahBalen,” said PM Modi in a post on X.
The conversation came as Nepal continued search-and-rescue efforts in areas affected by the sudden flooding. The exact death toll and scale of destruction remain subject to change as rescue teams reach areas where communications have been disrupted. Recent reports have put the number of confirmed deaths at between eight and nine, rather than the 16 cited in some earlier reports. Nepal Flash Flood Videos: Villages, Infrastructure Swept Away in Rasuwa As Bhote Koshi River Swells.
105 Indians Among Missing Travellers
According to the preliminary Nepal Tourism Board figures, 291 foreign nationals and 93 Nepali citizens are reported missing from the affected areas.
The foreign nationals include 105 Indians, three US citizens, 17 Malaysian nationals, 12 from the UK, four from South Africa, one Australian and one Dutch national. The nationalities of other missing foreign travellers are still being verified.
The tourism board has cautioned that the figures are preliminary and are being cross-checked with travel agencies, local authorities, guides and security agencies. India has also set up emergency helpline numbers to assist Indian nationals affected by the floods: +977 985 131 6807 and +977 970 910 7500.
Sudden Flood Hits Bhote Koshi River
The flash flood struck the Bhote Koshi River in northern Nepal on Wednesday morning, with the surge coming from the direction of Tibet. The flood swept through settlements in Rasuwa and affected areas downstream, including parts of Nuwakot and Dhading. Officials reported damage to homes, roads, bridges and power infrastructure.
The exact cause of the sudden surge has not yet been conclusively established. Authorities and experts are examining the possibility of an upstream event, including an avalanche or glacial-related incident.
Nepal Steps Up Rescue Efforts
PM Balendra Shah convened an emergency meeting of the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Authority to assess the situation and coordinate the government response. “Work has started to take necessary steps in coordination with the medical team, scouts, and Red Cross,” Shah said in a social media post.
Nepal Army, Nepal Police and the Armed Police Force have been mobilised for search-and-rescue operations. However, damaged infrastructure and disrupted communications have made access to some affected areas difficult. Authorities have also urged people living near rivers to move to safer locations as floodwaters continue downstream.
Security Personnel Also Missing
The flooding has affected security personnel deployed in the Rasuwa region. Reports initially said 32 Nepal Police personnel and nine Armed Police Force personnel were missing or out of contact. Some personnel have since re-established contact, leaving the exact number still missing subject to updates. Rescue teams are continuing to establish contact with people in the affected settlements and assess the extent of damage.
India has offered to provide all possible humanitarian assistance as Nepal responds to the disaster. PM Modi said Indian teams were coordinating closely with Nepal on rescue and relief efforts. The two countries have also moved to assist Indian nationals who may have been caught in the affected areas.
With rescue operations continuing and preliminary casualty and missing-person figures still being verified, authorities are expected to release further updates as teams gain access to affected settlements.
(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Aug 26, 2026 05:17 PM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).
