Nepal toll nears 600; MEA says 320 Indians, 100 of Indian origin missing

Two days after the deadly flash floods that swept through several districts of Nepal, the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) on Friday reported that at least 320 Indians — an increase from 290 on Thursday — and over 100 people of Indian origin remain missing. The total death toll has risen to 579 as search and rescue operations continue for the third day, amid fears of fresh floods due to rising water levels in the Bhotekoshi River area.

At least 1,924 people, including 517 foreign tourists, are reported to still be missing. MEA spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal stated that around 400 Indian nationals stranded on the Chinese side of the Sino-Nepal border have been reported safe. These individuals are pilgrims for the Kailash Mansarovar Yatra. He added that 149 Indian nationals who were stranded on the Chinese side have safely crossed over to Nepal.

In response to the crisis, India has sent a third tranche of 10 tonnes of relief supplies, along with an 11-member team of doctors and paramedics, as well as a reconnaissance crew to assess tunnel rescue operations.

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“A third flight carrying 10 tonnes of humanitarian assistance has departed for Kathmandu. The assistance includes portable generator sets, dignity kits, food packets, and water purification tablets,” said External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar in a post on X.

Earlier in the day, the MEA spokesperson noted:

• “You are aware of the humanitarian assistance rendered by India so far to Nepal in the wake of the recent tragedy. More assistance is in the pipeline.”
• “Two aircraft with relief material have left, and a third tranche of relief material is expected to leave this evening.”