As search and rescue operations continued in Nepal for the fourth day on Saturday, the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) reported that 275 Indian nationals and another 128 people of Indian origin—mostly Kailash Mansarovar Yatra pilgrims—remained missing. On Friday, the MEA had indicated that at least 320 Indians and over 100 people of Indian origin were unaccounted for. The total death toll has now climbed to 675, with more bodies being recovered as nearly 2,400 people are still reported missing following the devastating flash floods that struck several districts in Nepal on Wednesday morning.
Current Situation
According to a statement from the Nepal Police, 675 bodies have been recovered so far from the eight districts affected by the floods. Over 4,400 people have been evacuated as rescue teams led by the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Authority (NDRRMA) work against time amid intermittent rainfall in the flood-affected regions.
MEA spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal confirmed that 108 Indian nationals had been rescued thus far, including four individuals from a hydropower project in Rasuwa, one of the worst-hit districts. Additionally, 598 Indian nationals who were stranded on the Chinese side of the Sino-Nepal border have crossed into Nepal, while another 900 Indians are safe but have yet to depart from China. The MEA stated that the Indian Embassy in Beijing is in contact with them, either directly or through local government channels.
Relief Efforts
On Saturday, India dispatched more relief materials and specialized teams to assist in the rescue operations. In a post on X, External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar announced:
“"The 4th flight from India with 11 tonnes of assistance is now airborne. The C-130 aircraft is carrying a tunnel technical contingent along with equipment for search and rescue operations, a team of forensics experts for DNA analysis along with forensic equipment, relief supplies, including blankets, sleeping bags, tarpaulin, plastic sheets & hygiene kits."
