The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) on Friday said 275 Indian nationals remain unaccounted for following the devastating floods in Nepal. India is maintaining regular communication with the Nepalese government and its Ministry of Foreign Affairs to assist in locating and rescuing those still missing.
MEA spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal said India is also coordinating with the concerned state governments in the country regarding the affected Indian nationals.
Jaiswal said the government has been regularly publishing details of Indians who have been rescued from Nepal. According to the MEA, 166 Indian nationals have so far been rescued.
He added that 1,907 Indians have safely crossed into Nepal from China. Chinese authorities have also informed India that no Indian travellers are currently stranded in the Tibet Autonomous Region.
India Sends Relief Material and Rescue Teams
India has continued to provide assistance to Nepal following the devastating floods and landslides.
Jaiswal said India plans to send additional equipment, including forensic kits, Bailey bridges and other materials requested by Nepal.
On Thursday, two Indian aircraft reached Kathmandu carrying around 21 tonnes of relief supplies. The MEA said India has so far delivered approximately 95 tonnes of relief material through seven aircraft.
India has also deployed 54 personnel to support rescue and relief operations. The team includes 30 tunnel rescue specialists, 19 forensic experts and a five-member medical team.
“Our rescue and forensic teams are deployed on the ground, and they are working closely with the Nepalese authorities,” Jaiswal said.
India Reaffirms Support to Nepal
Responding to comments made by Nepal’s foreign minister, Jaiswal said India remains committed to helping Nepal recover from the disaster.
He said India had responded quickly after the tragedy and would continue supporting Nepal’s reconstruction and recovery efforts.
Jaiswal also reiterated India’s position on climate change, saying it is a shared global challenge. He said developed countries that have historically contributed the most to emissions should take greater responsibility by reducing emissions and providing developing nations with financial and technological support.
Nepal Flood Death Toll Reaches 1,295
The flood disaster has caused widespread destruction across Nepal, with the death toll reaching 1,295 by Friday.
Nepal Police said 1,293 bodies had been recovered from eight districts. The highest numbers were reported from Chitwan, Nawalparasi East, Nawalparasi West and Nuwakot.
Two more victims died while undergoing treatment at hospitals in Kathmandu, taking the overall toll to 1,295.
Security forces continue to conduct search and rescue operations for thousands of people still missing. Authorities have so far rescued 13,093 people from the affected areas.
Two Workers Rescued After Nine Days
In a major rescue operation, two workers were found alive inside a tunnel at the Trishuli 3A hydropower project after remaining trapped for nine days.
The survivors were identified as 45-year-old Kabir Maharjan, a mechanical supervisor, and 30-year-old Sanjay Sah, a foreman.
Maharjan was airlifted to the Nepal Army Hospital in Kathmandu and was reported to be in critical condition. Sah was taken to Trishuli Hospital in Nuwakot for treatment.
The disaster was triggered by an ice-rock avalanche near the Nepal-Tibet border on August 26, causing flash floods that severely affected several parts of northern and central Nepal.
Local authorities also reported a large number of children among those still missing. Around 280 children are reportedly missing in Rasuwa, while another 300–350 people remain unaccounted for in neighbouring Nuwakot, according to figures cited by The Kathmandu Post.
