Nepal floods: MEA reestablishes contact with 50 Indians, 275 still missing
Synopsis
With 275 Indian nationals still missing after Nepal's deadly flash floods, the MEA is running a two-front rescue operation — coordinating with Kathmandu and Beijing simultaneously. Over 900 Indians remain stranded on the Chinese side, while Kailash Manasarovar pilgrims are being tracked through Nepal. The scale of the crisis, and India's diplomatic response, is still unfolding.
Key Takeaways
The MEA reestablished contact with 50 previously unreachable Indian nationals in Nepal as of 29 August .
108 Indian nationals have been rescued in Nepal following the Wednesday flash floods.
275 Indian nationals and 128 persons of Indian origin remain missing or non-contactable.
598 Indian nationals have crossed from China into Nepal safely in the last two days; around 900 more remain on the Chinese side but are safe.
The Indian Embassy in Kathmandu is coordinating with Nepal Police to repatriate mortal remains of deceased Indian nationals.
India's missions are also monitoring and facilitating transit of Kailash Manasarovar Yatra pilgrims returning through Nepal.
The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) on Saturday, 29 August confirmed that India has reestablished contact with 50 previously unreachable Indian nationals in Nepal, while 108 have been rescued in total — bringing the number of missing or non-contactable Indian nationals down to 275, following the devastating flash floods that struck on Wednesday. An additional 128 persons of Indian origin also remain missing.
Key Developments
In a statement, the MEA said 598 Indian nationals have safely crossed into Nepal from China over the last two days, according to local government sources in China. Approximately 900 Indian nationals remain on the Chinese side but are described as safe and contactable. The MEA added that, unfortunately, Indian nationals have also lost their lives in the floods.
What the Government Said
'Till date, 108 Indian nationals have been rescued in Nepal, and contact was re-established with around 50 Indian nationals who were earlier uncontactable,' the MEA stated. It noted that both the Indian Embassy in Kathmandu and the Indian Embassy in Beijing have remained engaged with all relevant stakeholders to coordinate search, rescue, and relief efforts.
The MEA also confirmed that its missions are facilitating the return of rescued nationals to India and are monitoring the transit of Kailash Manasarovar Yatra pilgrims returning through Nepal.
Identifying the Deceased
The Indian Embassy in Kathmandu said the Nepal government has been releasing photographs and descriptions of the deceased, accessible through the Nepal Police website. The Embassy stated it is working closely with Nepal Police and other Nepali authorities to ensure that mortal remains of Indian nationals are handed over to the next of kin after identification.
India-Nepal Solidarity
The MEA expressed solidarity with Nepal, stating: 'As neighbours, India and Nepal share special and close relations, underpinned by civilizational ties and extensive people-to-people linkages.' It reiterated India's commitment to providing all possible assistance during what it called a 'tragic time.' This comes amid one of Nepal's worst flood crises in recent memory, with the disaster affecting nationals from multiple countries.
Further updates from the Embassy are expected in coordination with Nepali authorities as identification and repatriation efforts continue.
Point of View
A politically and culturally sensitive group, which raises the diplomatic stakes beyond a standard consular emergency. The fact that India is relying on 'local government sources in China' for headcounts on its own citizens signals the limits of direct consular access in that corridor. With 275 still missing and identification of the deceased only beginning, the true human toll remains unknown — and the pressure on both embassies will intensify before it eases.
NationPress
30 Aug 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
How many Indian nationals are missing in Nepal after the floods?
As of 29 August, more than 275 Indian nationals and 128 persons of Indian origin remain missing or non-contactable in Nepal following the flash floods that struck on Wednesday. The MEA has been issuing regular updates as rescue operations continue.
How many Indian nationals have been rescued in Nepal so far?
A total of 108 Indian nationals have been rescued in Nepal, and contact has been reestablished with around 50 who were previously unreachable, according to the MEA's statement on 29 August.
What is the situation for Indian nationals on the China side?
Around 598 Indian nationals have crossed from China into Nepal safely over the last two days, according to local government sources in China. Approximately 900 more remain on the Chinese side but are described as safe and contactable by the MEA.
Are Kailash Manasarovar Yatra pilgrims affected by the Nepal floods?
Yes, the Indian Embassy in Kathmandu is specifically monitoring and facilitating the transit of Kailash Manasarovar Yatra pilgrims returning through Nepal, indicating that pilgrims are among those caught up in the flood-related disruption.
How can families identify deceased Indian nationals in Nepal?
The Nepal government has been releasing photographs and descriptions of the deceased on the Nepal Police website. The Indian Embassy in Kathmandu is coordinating with Nepali authorities to ensure mortal remains are handed over to next of kin after formal identification.
