Nepal floods: 5 more Indians rescued, death toll crosses 1,000
Synopsis
Nepal's catastrophic floods have now claimed over 1,003 confirmed lives, with 3,916 people — including 583 foreign nationals — still missing. India's tunnel rescue team is pushing deeper into hydropower tunnels at Chilime using improvised floats, while a forensic team accelerates DNA identification. The disaster's true toll is far from final.
Key Takeaways
The MEA confirmed five more Indians rescued from Nepal on 1 September , bringing the total to 163 .
151 Indian nationals also departed China on Tuesday.
Nepal's confirmed flood death toll has crossed 1,003 , according to the NDRRMA .
Chitwan district recorded the highest fatalities at 321 , followed by Nawalparasi East at 216 .
3,916 people , including 583 foreign nationals , remain out of contact; 639 are hydropower project workers along the Bhotekoshi and Trishuli corridors.
India's tunnel rescue team at Chilime and a forensic DNA team are both continuing operations.
The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) on Tuesday, 1 September confirmed that five more Indian nationals were rescued from Nepal since Monday, bringing the total number of Indians rescued to 163 following last week's catastrophic floods in the Himalayan nation. Separately, 151 Indian nationals departed China on Tuesday, the Ministry added.
Tunnel Rescue: Challenges and Progress
An Indian tunnel rescue team, having established a foothold at hydropower tunnels in Chilime, faced significant obstacles including extremely restricted access space, limitations on the use of specialised equipment due to difficult terrain, and a marshy tunnel floor. According to the MEA, the team employed 'innovative methods and improvised floats' to penetrate deeper into the tunnel. 'Its efforts will continue tomorrow to try and rescue any individuals that may be trapped inside,' the Ministry stated.
A forensic team from India also expanded its activities on Tuesday, working in coordination with Nepali counterparts on tasks including DNA examination and analysis. The MEA said this collaboration would 'help expedite the processing of DNA samples in Nepal.'
Death Toll Crosses 1,000
The scale of the disaster has become clearer with each passing day. The National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Authority (NDRRMA) confirmed on Tuesday that the number of bodies recovered has reached 1,003, crossing the grim milestone of one thousand confirmed deaths. The highest concentration of fatalities was recorded in southern Chitwan district, where 321 bodies were recovered, followed by 216 in Nawalparasi East.
Thousands Still Missing
According to the NDRRMA, as many as 3,916 people — including 583 foreign nationals — remain out of contact. Among the missing are personnel from the Nepali Army, Armed Police Force, Nepal Police, and other government employees. Notably, 639 workers employed at various hydropower projects along the Bhotekoshi and Trishuli river corridors have been unaccounted for since the disaster struck last week.
Relief Operations Ongoing
Government authorities in Nepal confirmed that search, rescue, and relief operations are continuing across all affected districts. The twin-track effort — combining India's technical rescue capabilities with Nepal's ground forces — reflects the cross-border humanitarian stakes of a disaster that has left riverbanks across multiple districts lined with swept-away bodies. With thousands still missing and DNA identification work now underway, the full human cost of the Nepal floods is yet to be determined.
Point of View
000 confirmed deaths is a threshold, not a conclusion — with 3,916 people still missing, Nepal's flood toll could climb significantly higher. India's deployment of both a tunnel rescue team and a forensic DNA unit signals that the operation has shifted from active rescue to a dual-track of hope and identification. The presence of 639 missing hydropower workers points to a structural vulnerability: large labour concentrations in remote river corridors with no rapid-evacuation infrastructure. That is a policy failure that predates this disaster and will outlast it.
NationPress
2 Sept 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
How many Indians have been rescued from Nepal floods so far?
As of Tuesday, 1 September, a total of 163 Indian nationals have been rescued from Nepal following the devastating floods, with five more rescued since Monday, according to the Ministry of External Affairs.
What is the current death toll from Nepal floods?
The confirmed death toll from Nepal's floods has crossed 1,003, according to the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Authority (NDRRMA). Chitwan district recorded the highest number of recovered bodies at 321.
How many people are still missing in Nepal after the floods?
As many as 3,916 people remain out of contact, including 583 foreign nationals, according to the NDRRMA. Among the missing are army and police personnel, government employees, and 639 hydropower project workers.
What is India's tunnel rescue team doing in Nepal?
India's tunnel rescue team established a foothold at hydropower tunnels in Chilime and is using innovative methods and improvised floats to navigate a marshy tunnel floor and restricted access space, searching for any individuals still trapped inside.
What is the forensic DNA team from India doing in Nepal?
India's forensic team expanded its activities on 1 September in coordination with Nepali counterparts, undertaking DNA examination and analysis to help expedite the identification of victims from the flood disaster.
