Nepal floods: Minister Shisir Khanal vows safety for 261 missing foreign nationals
Synopsis
With 675 dead, 2,498 still missing, and 261 foreign nationals from 23 countries unaccounted for after a mudslide at the Tibet-Nepal border, Nepal's Foreign Minister personally toured the worst-hit Nuwakot district to oversee rescues — and confirmed India has already dispatched four aircraft with relief supplies and experts.
Key Takeaways
Nepal Foreign Minister Shisir Khanal visited Nuwakot district on 30 August to oversee flood rescue operations.
675 bodies recovered; 2,498 people still missing across mudslide-hit areas.
261 foreign nationals from 23 countries are unaccounted for after a mudslide at Gyirong Port on 26 August ; 49 are Indian nationals .
Over 400 people rescued so far, including more than 200 foreign nationals .
India has sent four aircraft with relief supplies and rescue experts; PM Modi spoke with Nepali PM Balendra Shah by phone.
Nepal's Ministry of Foreign Affairs has set up a dedicated helpline for foreign nationals seeking assistance.
Nepal Foreign Minister Shisir Khanal on Sunday, 30 August reaffirmed that the Nepali government is 'equally committed' to ensuring the safety of foreign nationals caught in the devastating flash floods and mudslides, placing their welfare on par with that of Nepali citizens. Khanal made the statement while visiting the Trishuli area of Nuwakot district, one of the worst-affected regions, to personally oversee rescue operations.
Scale of the Disaster
Nepal's National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Authority confirmed that 675 bodies have been recovered from mudslide-hit areas so far, with 2,498 people still reported missing. Khanal described the calamity as 'one of the largest national disasters that Nepal has experienced in recent memory.' A separate mudslide that struck Gyirong Port on the Tibet-Nepal border in Xizang on 26 August has left 261 foreign nationals from 23 countries unaccounted for, according to local authorities. Among them, 49 are Indian nationals.
Rescue Operations and Foreign Nationals
The Foreign Minister confirmed that as of Saturday, over 400 people had been rescued, of whom more than 200 were foreign nationals. 'The Prime Minister has asked all agencies to come together for all possible support. We are trying to do everything possible for the rescue of those affected in various regions,' Khanal said. The government has also activated a dedicated helpline at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs specifically for foreign nationals seeking assistance.
India's Support and Diplomatic Outreach
Khanal expressed gratitude to India for its swift response, noting that Prime Minister Narendra Modi had spoken by telephone with his Nepali counterpart Balendra Shah. The Foreign Minister also confirmed a direct conversation with External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar to communicate Nepal's specific needs. 'The Indian government has already sent four aircraft with relief supplies and even experts to support our rescue efforts. We are extremely grateful to India for the active support,' Khanal said. This rapid bilateral mobilisation underscores the depth of the India-Nepal humanitarian partnership, which has been activated in previous Himalayan disasters as well.
What Happens Next
Authorities from foreign affairs, public security, culture and tourism, and emergency management are conducting joint searches and cross-checking information on missing persons. The figure of 261 unaccounted foreign nationals was formally announced at a press conference by the regional government's information office. With nearly 2,500 people still missing and monsoon conditions persisting, rescue teams face compounding challenges in the mountainous terrain. The international community will be watching closely as Nepal works to account for nationals from 23 countries.
Point of View
But the real pressure point is Gyirong Port, a key transit hub on the Tibet-Nepal corridor whose disruption carries economic and geopolitical weight beyond the immediate tragedy. India's four-aircraft response is swift by any measure, but with nearly 2,500 people still missing and monsoon conditions unrelenting, the gap between political commitment and operational capacity on the ground remains the critical unknown.
NationPress
30 Aug 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
How many people are missing after the Nepal flash floods?
As of 30 August, Nepal's National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Authority reported 2,498 people still missing, with 675 bodies already recovered from mudslide-hit areas. A separate mudslide at Gyirong Port on 26 August left an additional 261 foreign nationals from 23 countries unaccounted for.
How many Indian nationals are missing in the Nepal floods?
49 Indian nationals are among the 261 foreign nationals reported unaccounted for after the mudslide struck Gyirong Port on the Tibet-Nepal border on 26 August. The figure was confirmed by regional authorities following a joint cross-check of information.
What is Nepal doing to help foreign nationals affected by the floods?
Nepal Foreign Minister Shisir Khanal confirmed that over 200 of the 400-plus people rescued so far were foreign nationals. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs has also activated a dedicated helpline specifically for foreign nationals seeking help.
How is India supporting Nepal's flood relief efforts?
India has dispatched four aircraft carrying relief supplies and rescue experts to Nepal. Prime Minister Narendra Modi spoke with Nepali PM Balendra Shah by telephone, and External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar also held a direct conversation with Minister Khanal to assess Nepal's specific needs.
Where did the mudslide affecting foreign nationals occur?
The mudslide that left 261 foreign nationals unaccounted for struck Gyirong Port on the Tibet-Nepal border in the Xizang region on 26 August 2024. It is separate from the broader flash flood disaster centred in districts such as Nuwakot.
