158 Indian nationals rescued from Nepal as flood relief ops intensify
Synopsis
India has rescued 158 of its nationals from flood-ravaged Nepal and has tunnel rescue teams probing 185 metres deep into hydropower sites at Chilime and Langtang — all while flying in an 11-tonne fourth relief consignment. The scale and speed of India's multi-front response signals both the severity of Nepal's crisis and New Delhi's intent to anchor itself as Kathmandu's first responder.
Key Takeaways
The MEA confirmed 158 Indian nationals rescued from Nepal as of 9 pm on 31 August .
India's tunnel rescue team probed 185 metres deep at the Langtang hydropower site in coordination with the Nepali Army .
Despite difficult weather, the team established a foothold and set up safety ropes inside the tunnel at Chilime .
A fourth Indian relief flight delivered 11 tonnes of supplies — including blankets, hygiene kits, and forensic experts — to Kathmandu on Sunday.
Ambassador Naveen Srivastava personally briefed the forensics team and confirmed rescue efforts will continue.
The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) on Monday, 31 August confirmed that 158 Indian nationals have been rescued from Nepal following devastating floods that struck the Himalayan nation last week. As of 9 pm IST, specialised forensics and tunnel rescue teams deployed by India were continuing active operations on the ground.
Forensics Team Operations
India's specialised forensics team continued its work in Kathmandu on Monday, operating in close coordination with counterparts from Nepal Police's Forensic Science Laboratory. The team focused on optimising protocols and documentation procedures. On Sunday, Ambassador of India to Nepal, Naveen Srivastava, met and briefed the forensics team before they held discussions with officials at Nepal Police's Central Forensic Science Laboratory and the Forensics Department of Tribhuvan University Teaching Hospital.
Tunnel Rescue at Chilime and Langtang
India's tunnel rescue team has been working in coordination with the Nepali Army at two critical hydropower sites — Chilime and Langtang. Despite inclement weather and difficult access conditions at Chilime, the team successfully established a foothold at the tunnel entrance and set up safety ropes inside. At Langtang, the team probed to a depth of 185 metres alongside Nepali forces. 'Rescue efforts will continue tomorrow,' Ambassador Srivastava stated in a post on X.
Fourth Relief Flight Lands in Kathmandu
A fourth Indian relief flight carrying 11 tonnes of supplies landed in Kathmandu on Sunday, with materials handed over to Nepali authorities. The consignment included a tunnel technical team equipped with search-and-rescue gear, a team of forensic experts for DNA analysis, blankets, sleeping bags, tarpaulins, plastic sheets, and hygiene kits. This marks India's sustained material commitment since the floods began.
India's Broader Relief Commitment
The scale of India's response — spanning air logistics, specialised rescue personnel, forensic expertise, and relief supplies across multiple flights — reflects the strategic importance of the India-Nepal bilateral relationship. This comes amid one of the most severe flood events to hit Nepal in recent years, with hydropower infrastructure among the hardest-hit sectors. The ongoing operations at Chilime and Langtang are particularly significant given the economic importance of these hydropower projects to Nepal's energy grid. All rescue and relief efforts are expected to continue through the coming days as weather conditions permit.
Point of View
DNA forensics, tunnel rescue at 185 metres — but the headline figure of 158 rescued nationals raises a question mainstream coverage is not asking: how many Indian nationals were in the affected zones to begin with, and what is the status of those still unaccounted for? The MEA's updates have been logistically detailed but demographically thin. Transparency on total nationals at risk would sharpen both public understanding and diplomatic accountability. Nepal's hydropower sector, where India has significant investment exposure, is also among the hardest hit — a dimension that deserves more scrutiny than it is receiving.
NationPress
31 Aug 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
How many Indian nationals have been rescued from Nepal floods?
As of 9 pm on 31 August, the MEA confirmed that 158 Indian nationals have been rescued from Nepal following devastating floods last week. Rescue operations are ongoing.
Where are India's tunnel rescue teams operating in Nepal?
India's tunnel rescue teams are operating at two hydropower sites — Chilime and Langtang — in coordination with the Nepali Army. At Langtang, the team probed to a depth of 185 metres, while at Chilime, a foothold was established inside the tunnel despite difficult weather.
What relief supplies has India sent to Nepal?
India has sent four relief flights to Nepal so far. The fourth flight, which arrived on Sunday, carried 11 tonnes of supplies including blankets, sleeping bags, tarpaulins, plastic sheets, hygiene kits, search-and-rescue equipment, and a forensic team for DNA analysis.
What is India's forensics team doing in Nepal?
India's specialised forensics team is working in Kathmandu in coordination with Nepal Police's Forensic Science Laboratory and the Forensics Department of Tribhuvan University Teaching Hospital, focusing on optimising protocols and documentation for identifying flood victims.
Who is leading India's relief efforts in Nepal?
Ambassador of India to Nepal, Naveen Srivastava, is coordinating on the ground. He briefed the forensics team on Sunday and has been providing operational updates, including via a post on X confirming the tunnel rescue progress.
