Nepal President thanks India for aid after flash floods kill 616
Synopsis
Nepal's death toll from the Bhote Koshi flash floods has hit 616, with 320 Indian nationals still missing or unreachable. As President Paudel formally thanked India for its 'generous support', Modi and Murmu had already moved — calls made, teams deployed, and a diplomatic signal sent that India remains Nepal's first responder of choice in the Himalayas.
Key Takeaways
Nepal President Ramchandra Paudel formally thanked Indian President Droupadi Murmu on 29 August 2026 for India's support after the flash floods.
The death toll from the Nepal floods reached 616 by Saturday morning, with hundreds still missing.
149 Indian nationals crossed safely into Nepal from China; 320 remain missing or unreachable, per the MEA .
The floods originated in the Tibetan region of China and swept through the transboundary Bhote Koshi River .
PM Narendra Modi spoke with Nepal PM Balendra Shah on Wednesday , offering condolences and pledging all possible humanitarian assistance.
Indian rescue and relief teams are coordinating closely with Nepali authorities on the ground.
Nepal President Ramchandra Paudel on Saturday, 29 August 2026, formally expressed gratitude to Indian President Droupadi Murmu for New Delhi's solidarity and material support following catastrophic flash floods that have killed at least 616 people in Nepal and left hundreds more missing. The floods, which originated in the Tibetan region of China and swept through the transboundary Bhote Koshi River, rank among the deadliest natural disasters to strike the Himalayan nation in recent years.
Nepal President's Message of Gratitude
The Office of the President of Nepal posted a formal acknowledgement on X, in which Paudel stated: 'On behalf of the Government and the people of Nepal, I extend our deepest gratitude to Your Excellency Smt Droupadi Murmu for your kind concern and also for the generous support and solidarity extended by your government following the recent calamity in Nepal.' Paudel also offered condolences to India, noting the loss of Indian lives in the disaster of 26 August 2026.
Indian Nationals Caught in the Disaster
The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) confirmed on Friday that 149 Indian nationals had crossed safely into Nepal from China in the wake of the floods. However, 320 people continue to remain missing or unreachable, according to official statements. The figure underscores the cross-border scale of the calamity, with Indian pilgrims and tourists believed to be among those caught in the affected zones.
What India Said and Did
President Murmu had moved swiftly on Wednesday, posting on X through the President's Secretariat: 'I convey my deepest sympathies to Rt Hon President Mr. Ramchandra Paudel and the people of Nepal on the devastation caused by the flash floods today. We express our solidarity with Nepal at this difficult hour. India stands ready to support the relief and rescue efforts of the Government of Nepal for those affected by this calamity.'
Prime Minister Narendra Modi also spoke directly with his Nepali counterpart, Prime Minister Balendra Shah, on Wednesday. Modi posted on X: 'Spoke to Prime Minister Balendra Shah and conveyed condolences on the loss of lives due to the floods in Nepal. The people of India stand in solidarity with their sisters and brothers in Nepal at this difficult time.' He added: 'India is ready to provide all possible humanitarian assistance to Nepal. Our teams are coordinating closely on rescue and relief efforts.'
Scale of the Disaster
The death toll had climbed to 616 by Saturday morning, according to local media citing officials, with hundreds still missing. The floods originated in Tibet and tore through the Bhote Koshi River valley, causing widespread destruction to infrastructure and settlements along its path. This is the second major transboundary flood event on the Nepal-China border corridor in recent years, raising questions about early-warning coordination between the two neighbouring nations.
What Comes Next
Indian rescue and relief teams are reportedly coordinating closely with Nepali authorities. The MEA continues to track the status of the 320 missing Indian nationals. As floodwaters recede, the focus is expected to shift to rehabilitation, infrastructure repair, and an assessment of long-term disaster-preparedness mechanisms along the Bhote Koshi corridor.
Point of View
A Modi-Shah phone call, and MEA tracking of Indian nationals within hours — reflects a well-rehearsed 'Neighbourhood First' playbook. But the real test is not the diplomatic optics; it is whether the 320 missing Indian nationals are located and whether India-China-Nepal early-warning coordination on the Bhote Koshi corridor improves after this disaster. The river has flooded before, and the absence of a functioning transboundary alert mechanism is a structural gap that goodwill alone cannot close.
NationPress
29 Aug 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
Why did Nepal's President thank India after the flash floods?
Nepal President Ramchandra Paudel thanked Indian President Droupadi Murmu on 29 August 2026 for the concern and material support extended by the Indian government following devastating flash floods that killed at least 616 people in Nepal. India had pledged humanitarian assistance and deployed teams to coordinate rescue and relief efforts.
How many Indian nationals are missing in the Nepal floods?
As of Friday, 29 August 2026, the Ministry of External Affairs confirmed that 320 Indian nationals remain missing or unreachable following the floods. Separately, 149 Indian nationals had crossed safely into Nepal from China.
Where did the Nepal flash floods originate?
The floods originated in the Tibetan region of China and swept through the transboundary Bhote Koshi River, causing widespread destruction across Nepal's Rasuwa district and surrounding areas.
What did PM Modi say about the Nepal floods?
Prime Minister Narendra Modi spoke with Nepal PM Balendra Shah on Wednesday, conveying condolences and pledging all possible humanitarian assistance. Modi posted on X that Indian teams were coordinating closely on rescue and relief efforts.
What is the current death toll from the Nepal flash floods?
The death toll from the Nepal flash floods stood at 616 as of Saturday morning, 29 August 2026, according to local media citing officials, with hundreds more still reported missing.
