The devastating flash floods in Nepal have triggered a major rescue operation, with more than 300 Indians reportedly among around 800 people who remain missing, Nepal’s Foreign Minister Shishir Khanal said on Thursday.
Most of the missing Indian nationals are believed to be Kailash Mansarovar pilgrims who were travelling through areas affected by the disaster.
Khanal said the scale of the destruction is still being assessed, with at least 160 people confirmed dead so far. He warned that the number could change as rescue teams reach more affected areas and authorities gather information about people who remain unaccounted for.
Speaking at an NDTV summit in Kathmandu, the Nepalese minister said, “Thousands of families have lost homes and are missing as of now. We are still trying to ascertain the full extent of the disaster.”
More than 300 Indians reported missing
The disaster has also raised concerns about foreign nationals who were travelling through the affected region.
Khanal said the route is used by pilgrims and other foreign visitors travelling towards the Kailash Mansarovar pilgrimage.
“Foreign nationals, including Indians, take the route in the affected area to the Masarovar Yatra. Close to 300 Indians have been reported missing and the government is trying to establish contact with them,” he said.
The minister added that approximately 500 foreign nationals are currently out of contact, underlining the international impact of the disaster.
Nepal asks world to stand with the country
As rescue and relief efforts continue, Khanal appealed to the international community to support Nepal during the crisis.
He also urged tourists not to abandon plans to visit the country, saying that most major tourist destinations have not been affected by the floods and continue to remain open.
The appeal comes as Nepal tries to deal with the immediate humanitarian emergency while also looking ahead to rebuilding damaged infrastructure and restoring normal life in affected communities.
India sends relief material to flood-hit Nepal
India has also stepped up its assistance to neighbouring Nepal.
External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar said India sent 10 tonnes of humanitarian assistance and disaster-relief material to Nepal on Wednesday.
Jaishankar said in a post on X, “India’s HADR and medical assistance has reached Kathmandu. More assistance is being mobilised to support relief efforts.”
The assistance includes material aimed at supporting ongoing rescue and relief operations.
PM Modi speaks to Nepal counterpart
Prime Minister Narendra Modi also spoke with Nepal Prime Minister Balendra Shah following the devastating floods.
Modi expressed condolences over the loss of lives and assured Nepal that India was prepared to provide all possible humanitarian assistance.
“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,” Modi said.
He added that Indian and Nepalese teams were coordinating closely on rescue and relief operations.
With hundreds of people still unaccounted for, including a large number of Indians, authorities are continuing efforts to establish contact with missing persons and determine the full scale of the disaster.
