Nepal-Tibet floods: Maharashtra traces 405 stranded citizens, 67 still unreachable
Synopsis
The Nepal-Tibet floods of 26 August 2026 have left 67 Maharashtra citizens unreachable, even as 262 others have made it home. With a Central Government team now in Kathmandu and Chief Minister Fadnavis personally monitoring the situation, the focus has shifted to a group of 60 tourists who travelled through a single tour operator — and whose silence is the most pressing concern.
Key Takeaways
405 citizens from Maharashtra were affected by the Nepal-Tibet floods that struck on 26 August 2026 .
262 citizens have been repatriated and 76 are confirmed safe and in contact with authorities.
67 citizens remain unreachable as of 30 August 2026 , including 60 who travelled via Richa Tours Pvt Ltd .
A Central Government special team has been deployed in Kathmandu ; the Indian Ambassador to Nepal has issued instructions.
37 citizens arrived safely in Mumbai on 29 August from Saga near Mansarovar, Tibet ; 105 have returned to Nagpur .
Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis is personally monitoring the situation and has directed state assistance for all affected citizens.
Intensive rescue and tracing operations are underway for 67 citizens from Maharashtra who remain unreachable following the devastating floods that struck the Nepal-Tibet region on 26 August 2026. The Maharashtra State Disaster Management Department confirmed on 30 August 2026 that a total of 405 citizens from the state have been affected by the disaster.
Current Status of Stranded Citizens
Of the 405 affected Maharashtra citizens, 262 have been successfully repatriated to the state, while 76 others are in contact with authorities and confirmed safe. The remaining 67 individuals have not yet been reached, with officials working around the clock to establish communication and verify their whereabouts.
A significant subset of those uncontacted — 60 citizens — had travelled through Richa Tours Pvt Ltd, and authorities have yet to establish direct contact with them. An additional seven citizens who registered via an online link also remain unreachable. Administrative teams are actively working to trace their locations.
Central Government Team Deployed in Kathmandu
A special team from the Central Government has arrived in Kathmandu to assist in the relief and tracing efforts. The Indian Ambassador to Nepal met the team and issued necessary instructions to expedite the process. Efforts are ongoing both to verify the safety of affected citizens and to facilitate their repatriation to India.
Recent Evacuations and Safe Returns
On the evening of 29 August 2026, 37 citizens safely arrived in Mumbai after being evacuated from Saga, near the Mansarovar region in Tibet. Separately, 105 citizens have returned to Nagpur. Another 69 Maharashtra citizens are expected to complete their onward journey and reach Mumbai in the coming days.
Government Response and Coordination
Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis has issued instructions directing the government to provide assistance and resolve travel-related difficulties faced by stranded citizens, according to an official government release. The Chief Minister's Office is continuously monitoring the situation to ensure the safe return of all affected individuals.
The State Disaster Management Department is coordinating with relevant agencies across both countries to accelerate repatriation. This comes amid broader concerns over the scale of the Nepal-Tibet floods, which have disrupted pilgrimage and tourist routes frequented by thousands of Indian visitors annually. The situation remains fluid, with authorities expected to provide further updates as contact efforts progress.
Point of View
Which raises pointed questions about tour operator accountability and emergency contact protocols for Indian tourists in high-risk pilgrimage corridors. The Nepal-Tibet route, particularly the Mansarovar circuit, sees tens of thousands of Indian pilgrims annually, yet the absence of a real-time tracking mechanism becomes glaring every time a natural disaster strikes. The Centre's swift deployment of a Kathmandu team is the right move, but the state's dependence on tour operators for basic headcounts signals a systemic gap that pre-dates this flood season.
NationPress
31 Aug 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
How many Maharashtra citizens are stranded due to the Nepal-Tibet floods?
As of 30 August 2026, a total of 405 citizens from Maharashtra were affected by the Nepal-Tibet floods. Of these, 262 have returned home, 76 are safe and in contact, and 67 remain unreachable.
Who are the 67 unreachable Maharashtra citizens?
The 67 unreachable citizens include 60 individuals who travelled through Richa Tours Pvt Ltd and seven others who registered via an online link. Authorities are actively working to trace their locations.
What is the Central Government doing to help?
A special Central Government team has been deployed in Kathmandu to assist in tracing and repatriating stranded Maharashtra citizens. The Indian Ambassador to Nepal has met the team and issued necessary instructions to expedite relief.
When did the Nepal-Tibet floods occur and how severe were they?
The floods struck the Nepal-Tibet region on 26 August 2026 and were described as massive, displacing and stranding tourists and pilgrims from multiple Indian states, including Maharashtra.
What is the Maharashtra government doing for affected citizens?
Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis has directed the government to provide assistance and resolve travel difficulties. The State Disaster Management Department is coordinating with relevant agencies, and the Chief Minister's Office is continuously monitoring the situation.
