Nepal floods: 288 Indians uncontactable, 21 rescued; MEA briefs on crisis
Synopsis
288 Indian nationals — spread across five distinct groups including Kailash Mansarovar pilgrims, power project workers, and tour groups from Tamil Nadu, Kerala, and West Bengal — remain uncontactable after Nepal's catastrophic Bhote Koshi flash floods. With 21 rescued, 200 more stranded in China, and Nepal's death toll crossing 270, this is one of the most complex consular emergencies India has faced in the Himalayan region.
Key Takeaways
288 Indian nationals remain uncontactable following flash floods in Nepal as of 27 August , according to the MEA .
21 Indian nationals from Tamil Nadu have been rescued; the Indian Embassy has spoken to them and is arranging their return home.
The 288 comprise five groups: 73 at the Trishuli-1 Power Project , 37 and 49 from Tamil Nadu on the Kailash Mansarovar Yatra , 32 from West Bengal in Rasuwa district , 61 via Richa Tours, and 33 from Kerala .
Approximately 200 Indian nationals are stranded on the Chinese side of the border; the Indian Embassy in Beijing is coordinating their evacuation.
PM Modi spoke to Nepal PM Balendra Shah on Wednesday , offering humanitarian assistance.
Nepal's death toll from the floods has crossed 270 , with over 800 people still out of contact, according to Nepali authorities.
The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) confirmed on Thursday, 27 August that 288 Indian nationals remain out of contact following devastating flash floods in Nepal, even as 21 Indians have been rescued so far. MEA spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal addressed a special media briefing in New Delhi, outlining the scale of the crisis and India's ongoing rescue and evacuation efforts.
The Five Groups of Missing Indians
Jaiswal broke down the 288 uncontactable Indian nationals into five distinct groups. The first comprises 73 Indian nationals employed at the Trishuli-1 Power Project, with communication lines in the area described as 'totally disrupted.' The second and third groups consist of 37 and 49 Indian nationals from Tamil Nadu — both travelling for the Kailash Mansarovar Yatra through agents Samrat and Fly Everest Travels respectively. A fourth group of 32 Indian nationals from West Bengal, also travelling via Samrat Travels, was last known to be in Timure in Rasuwa district — the epicentre of the disaster. A fifth group of 61 Indian nationals from various states travelled through Richa Tours, and a sixth cluster of 33 Indian nationals from Kerala also remains uncontactable.
'We are making all efforts to reach out to our people through the Nepalese authorities. We will have more updates for you on this particular matter,' Jaiswal said.
21 Rescued, Names Published on Official Handle
As of 1 pm IST on 27 August, 21 Indian nationals — all from Tamil Nadu — had been rescued. Jaiswal confirmed that the Indian Embassy and the Indian Ambassador have spoken directly with the rescued individuals and assured them of all possible assistance. The names of the 21 rescued nationals were made available on the MEA's official X handle. Arrangements are being made for their return to India via Kathmandu.
PM Modi Speaks to Nepal Counterpart
Prime Minister Narendra Modi spoke with his Nepalese counterpart Balendra Shah on Wednesday, expressing India's solidarity with Nepal and offering all possible humanitarian assistance. The call signals the seriousness with which New Delhi is treating the crisis, given the large number of Indian pilgrims and workers caught in the disaster zone.
Indians Stranded in China After Yatra Route Cut Off
The flood, which originated in the Tibetan region of China and swept through the transboundary Bhote Koshi River, has also left a significant number of Indian pilgrims stranded on the Chinese side. Jaiswal said approximately 200 Indian nationals on the Kailash Mansarovar Yatra have sought evacuation assistance from the Indian Embassy in Beijing. Of these, 95 are in Darchen and proceeding towards Hilsa to cross into Nepal; 30 are in Zutulpuk en route to the town of Saga; 60–70 others are also heading to Saga; and 4 are in Guilin city. The Indian mission is coordinating with local Chinese authorities for their safe evacuation.
Separately, a large group associated with the Isha Foundation — comprising persons of Indian origin, some foreign nationals, and possibly some Indian nationals — also remains uncontactable, according to Jaiswal.
Scale of the Disaster in Nepal
The flash floods have caused widespread destruction across Nepal. According to Nepali authorities, the death toll has risen to over 270, with more than 800 people still out of contact. The disaster is among the deadliest to strike the region in recent years, with the transboundary nature of the Bhote Koshi flood complicating rescue operations across Nepal and China simultaneously.
With communication lines severed in key districts and rescue operations still active, the figures are expected to change. The MEA has cautioned that all numbers shared are preliminary and will be updated as ground-level information improves.
Point of View
Pilgrims, and tourists from at least four states — reveals how exposed Indian citizens are when disaster strikes along the Nepal-Tibet corridor, a route that sees heavy Indian footfall but limited real-time consular tracking. The simultaneous stranding of roughly 200 Indians on the Chinese side of the border adds a diplomatic dimension that goes beyond a standard disaster response. What this crisis also exposes is the absence of a robust real-time traveller registry: had the MEA known in advance who was where, the identification of missing persons would not depend on travel agents' passenger lists. As the Kailash Mansarovar Yatra resumes in various forms each year, this episode makes the case for mandatory check-in protocols that can survive communication blackouts.
NationPress
27 Aug 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
How many Indian nationals are missing after the Nepal flash floods?
As of 27 August, 288 Indian nationals remain uncontactable following the flash floods in Nepal, according to the MEA. They are spread across five major groups, including pilgrims on the Kailash Mansarovar Yatra, power project workers, and tour groups from Tamil Nadu, West Bengal, and Kerala.
How many Indians have been rescued from the Nepal floods so far?
21 Indian nationals — all from Tamil Nadu — had been rescued as of 1 pm IST on 27 August. The Indian Embassy has spoken to them and is arranging their travel back to India via Kathmandu.
Who are the Indian nationals stranded in China?
Approximately 200 Indian nationals on the Kailash Mansarovar Yatra are stranded on the Chinese side of the border. Of these, 95 are in Darchen heading to Hilsa, 30 are in Zutulpuk en route to Saga, 60–70 others are also heading to Saga, and 4 are in Guilin city. The Indian Embassy in Beijing is coordinating their evacuation with local Chinese authorities.
What caused the flash floods in Nepal?
The floods originated in the Tibetan region of China and swept through the transboundary Bhote Koshi River, causing widespread destruction across Nepal. The death toll has crossed 270, with over 800 people still out of contact, according to Nepali authorities.
What has the Indian government done in response to the Nepal floods?
Prime Minister Narendra Modi spoke with Nepal PM Balendra Shah on Wednesday, expressing solidarity and offering humanitarian assistance. The MEA held a special media briefing, and the Indian Embassy in Kathmandu is coordinating with Nepalese authorities to locate and evacuate missing Indian nationals.
