Nepal flash floods: Indian Embassy issues emergency numbers, 100+ Indians among 384 missing
Synopsis
Over 100 Indian tourists are among 384 people reported missing after flash floods tore through Nepal's Bhote Koshi River on 26 August, prompting the Indian Embassy in Kathmandu to issue emergency contact numbers. With rescue teams still assessing the scale of damage across Rasuwa, Nuwakot, and Dhading, the true toll remains unknown — and the clock is ticking.
Key Takeaways
The Embassy of India in Nepal issued two emergency numbers — +977 985 131 6807 and +977 970 910 7500 — for Indian nationals affected by the floods.
Flash floods struck Nepal's Bhote Koshi River on Wednesday, 26 August , with the worst damage reported in Rasuwa district .
The Nepal Tourism Board reported 384 tourists missing , including 291 foreign nationals and 93 Nepali citizens ; more than 100 of the foreign nationals are reportedly Indian.
Missing tourists are linked to nine travel agencies ; nationalities of several remain unconfirmed as figures are being cross-verified.
Balen Shah chaired an emergency meeting of the National Council for Disaster Risk Reduction and Management and directed authorities to relocate displaced persons immediately.
The Nepali Army and rescue agencies are conducting ongoing search and relief operations across the affected districts.
The Embassy of India in Nepal on Wednesday, 26 August issued emergency contact numbers for Indian nationals affected by devastating flash floods that swept through Nepal's Bhote Koshi River, as more than 100 Indians were reported among 384 tourists missing in the Rasuwa region. Several people are feared dead following the disaster, which has caused widespread destruction across northern Nepal.
Emergency Numbers Issued by Indian Embassy
The Embassy of India in Kathmandu posted on X that Indian nationals seeking assistance or information may contact the following emergency numbers: +977 985 131 6807 and +977 970 910 7500. The embassy urged those with relatives in the affected areas to use these lines to report concerns and seek updates.
Scale of the Missing: Tourists from Multiple Nations
The Nepal Tourism Board (NTB) confirmed that the 384 missing tourists include 291 foreign nationals and 93 Nepali citizens. Among the foreign nationals, more than 100 are reportedly Indian. Other nationalities include travellers from the United Kingdom, Australia, the United States, Malaysia, South Africa, and the Netherlands. The NTB cautioned that the figures are preliminary and are being cross-verified with travel agencies, local authorities, and other agencies. The nationalities of several missing travellers remain unconfirmed. According to preliminary information, those missing are associated with nine different travel agencies.
Devastation Across Rasuwa, Nuwakot and Dhading
The flash floods in the Bhote Koshi River caused the most severe damage in Rasuwa district, where floodwaters swept away houses, damaged markets, hydropower projects, roads, and other critical infrastructure. The affected districts also include Nuwakot and Dhading, all located in the northern part of the country. The scale of infrastructure loss has complicated rescue and communication efforts in the region.
Government Response and Rescue Operations
Earlier on Wednesday, Balen Shah convened a meeting of the National Council for Disaster Risk Reduction and Management to receive a high-level briefing on the flood situation and the progress of rescue, search, and relief operations. The Prime Minister reaffirmed the government's commitment to citizen safety and said clear instructions had been issued to subordinate bodies to increase vigilance in low-lying areas and immediately relocate displaced persons to safe locations. The Nepali Army and local rescue agencies are continuing efforts to assess the situation and establish the whereabouts of those reported missing.
What Comes Next
With rescue operations ongoing and the NTB actively cross-checking missing persons data with travel agencies, a clearer picture of casualties and survivors is expected to emerge in the coming hours. Indian nationals in Nepal or those with family members in the affected areas are advised to contact the embassy's emergency lines immediately. The situation in the Rasuwa region remains fluid, and authorities have urged those in low-lying areas to move to higher ground without delay.
Point of View
Yet early-warning infrastructure remains inadequate. The fact that over 384 tourists — from at least seven countries — went missing before a consolidated alert was issued points to a coordination gap between travel agencies, local authorities, and embassies. India's rapid embassy response is commendable, but the episode underscores the need for a standing bilateral disaster protocol between New Delhi and Kathmandu that activates automatically when a flood threshold is crossed, rather than waiting for casualties to mount.
NationPress
26 Aug 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
What emergency numbers has the Indian Embassy in Nepal issued for flood-affected nationals?
The Embassy of India in Kathmandu has issued two emergency contact numbers: +977 985 131 6807 and +977 970 910 7500. Indian nationals or their families seeking assistance or information related to the Nepal flash floods can reach the embassy through these lines.
How many tourists are missing after the Nepal flash floods?
The Nepal Tourism Board has reported 384 tourists missing in the Rasuwa region, comprising 291 foreign nationals and 93 Nepali citizens. The figures are preliminary and are being cross-verified with travel agencies and local authorities.
How many Indians are among the missing tourists in Nepal?
More than 100 Indians are reportedly among the 384 tourists missing, according to the Nepal Tourism Board. Other nationalities affected include travellers from the United Kingdom, Australia, the United States, Malaysia, South Africa, and the Netherlands.
Which districts in Nepal have been worst affected by the flash floods?
The worst damage has been reported in Rasuwa district, where floodwaters swept away houses, markets, hydropower projects, and roads. The neighbouring districts of Nuwakot and Dhading have also been significantly affected.
What steps has the Nepal government taken in response to the floods?
Nepal's Prime Minister Balen Shah convened an emergency meeting of the National Council for Disaster Risk Reduction and Management on 26 August. He directed subordinate bodies to increase vigilance in low-lying areas and immediately relocate displaced persons to safety. The Nepali Army and rescue agencies are conducting active search and relief operations.
