India Steps Up Nepal Flood Relief; 108 Indians Rescued, 275 Still Missing

Specialised tunnel-rescue team and forensic experts join operations as India airlifts 68.5 tonnes of assistance

Key Factors

• 108 Indian nationals rescued from flood-hit areas in Nepal
• Contact restored with around 50 Indians earlier reported unreachable
• 275 Indian nationals and 128 Persons of Indian Origin remain missing
• 598 Indians have crossed safely into Nepal from China
• Fourth Indian relief flight carries tunnel-rescue specialists and equipment
• India sends bridge equipment to help restore critical road connectivity

New Delhi: India has intensified rescue and relief operations in flood-ravaged Nepal, deploying specialised technical teams and sending additional humanitarian assistance as efforts continue to trace hundreds of people following the catastrophic August 26 flash floods.

The Ministry of External Affairs said 108 Indian nationals had been rescued in Nepal as of late Saturday, while contact had been re-established with around 50 Indians who were earlier unreachable.

However, 275 Indian nationals and 128 Persons of Indian Origin holding other nationalities remain reported missing.

The disaster struck the Bhote Koshi river system on August 26, causing extensive loss of life and widespread destruction to homes, roads, bridges, hydropower facilities and other critical infrastructure. Nepal’s authorities mobilised security forces, disaster-management agencies, local administrations and health services for search, evacuation and relief operations.

According to information received from local government sources, 598 Indian nationals have safely crossed into Nepal from China. Around 900 Indians awaiting departure from China are reported safe, with the Indian Embassy in Beijing maintaining contact with them directly or through local authorities.

India Sends Specialised Rescue and Bridge Support

India’s fourth relief flight reached Kathmandu carrying about 11 tonnes of assistance along with a specialised tunnel technical contingent and search-and-rescue equipment. The C-130 aircraft also transported forensic experts and equipment for DNA analysis as rescue and identification operations expanded.

The deployment assumes particular significance as rescuers continue operations around hydropower facilities and tunnels affected by the floods.

India has so far airlifted 68.5 tonnes of relief material to Kathmandu, including essential medicines, portable generator sets, food packets, water-purification tablets and technical equipment.

Support is also being extended to restore damaged infrastructure. Sixteen trucks carrying equipment for a 230-foot single-lane modular steel bridge have reached Nepal, while equipment for seven additional Bailey bridges is expected to follow along with technical teams for their installation.

The operation comes as Nepal continues to grapple with the enormous scale of the disaster. The country’s government has kept rescue agencies fully mobilised, while international technical and humanitarian assistance is being brought into the affected region.

India has reiterated that it will continue supporting Nepal through rescue, relief and the subsequent reconstruction effort as authorities race to locate those still missing and restore essential connectivity.