110 Nagpur citizens safe in Kathmandu after Nepal flash floods
Synopsis
While Nepal's flash floods wreaked havoc on 26 August, a group of 110 senior citizens from Nagpur — travelling with the Shri Swami Maharaj group — escaped unharmed at Kathmandu's Maheshwari Samaj facility. A direct call from CM Devendra Fadnavis to a Nepal MP unlocked four mini-buses for their return, with the group now en route to the India border and a Danapur train home on 28 August.
Key Takeaways
All 110 citizens from Nagpur district travelling with the Shri Swami Maharaj group are confirmed safe in Kathmandu .
Nepal's 26 August flash floods did not affect the group, who are sheltering at the Maheshwari Samaj facility.
The group departed Kathmandu on 27 August and is expected to cross into India via Janakpur by 28 August morning.
A train from Danapur railway station to Nagpur is scheduled for 28 August .
CM Devendra Fadnavis personally called Nepal MP Sandeep Rana , who arranged four mini-buses for the group's onward journey.
Deputy CM Eknath Shinde confirmed citizens from Satara , Mahabaleshwar , and Pune remain stranded; rescue efforts are ongoing.
The Maharashtra State Disaster Management Department on Thursday, 27 August confirmed that all 110 citizens from Nagpur district, who had travelled to Nepal with the Shri Swami Maharaj group, are safe following the devastating flash floods that struck Nepal on 26 August. The group, comprising mostly senior citizens, had arrived in Kathmandu on 22 August for a combined tourism and religious visit.
Where the Group Is and What Happened
The flash floods that swept through Nepal on 26 August did not affect the Nagpur group. All 110 individuals are currently sheltering at the Maheshwari Samaj facility in Kathmandu, where Nepal authorities are providing necessary aid and support. Authorities have maintained continuous contact with the group to monitor their welfare.
Return Journey Underway
The group departed Kathmandu on 27 August, heading toward Janakpur, near the Nepal–India border. They are expected to arrive at the border early on 28 August, after which they will cross into India and proceed to Patna. A train journey from Danapur railway station back to Nagpur has been scheduled for 28 August.
The Chief Minister's Office, in a post on X, confirmed: 'All 106 passengers from Nagpur have safely departed from Kathmandu for Danapur, Bihar. Following a phone call from CM Devendra Fadnavis, Nepal MP Sandeep Rana arranged four local mini-buses to facilitate their journey from Kathmandu to Janakpur. The passengers are expected to reach the Janakpur–Bihar border tomorrow morning. Buses have been arranged for their journey to Danapur, Bihar, from where their return journey by train has also been arranged.'
CM Fadnavis Intervenes Directly
Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis personally spoke to the stranded citizens and assured them of all possible assistance for their safe return. His direct call to Nepal MP Sandeep Rana is credited with securing the four mini-buses that enabled the group's departure from Kathmandu.
The Nagpur District Administration is also in regular contact with relatives back home. Among those maintaining continuous communication with officials are Ankush Ludekar of Premnagar, Itwari, and Ashitosh Choudhary of Manewada.
Broader Maharashtra Impact and Government Response
Deputy Chief Minister Eknath Shinde said several citizens from Maharashtra — particularly from Satara, Mahabaleshwar, and Pune regions — remain stranded in Nepal. He described the situation as 'tragic and unfortunate' and confirmed that officials are making continuous efforts to contact and repatriate them.
Shinde noted that Prime Minister Narendra Modi has extended assistance to Nepal at the central level. He emphasised that the Central Government, Maharashtra Government, State Disaster Management Authority, and Shiv Sena's disaster management team are working in close coordination. Outreach to stranded Maharashtra citizens is also being channelled through Shiv Sena workers based in Nepal.
With the return journey now in motion, authorities say complete arrangements are in place to bring all travellers home safely by 28 August.
Point of View
When activated quickly, can cut through bureaucratic lag during cross-border crises. However, the Deputy CM's admission that citizens from Satara, Mahabaleshwar, and Pune remain stranded raises a harder question: why did outreach succeed faster for one district than for others? The Nagpur group's safety owes much to the fact that local contacts — Ludekar and Choudhary — were actively relaying information. Districts without such on-ground communicators are at a structural disadvantage in future emergencies. Maharashtra's disaster management framework needs a standing protocol for cross-border pilgrim and tourist groups, not ad-hoc interventions driven by CM phone calls.
NationPress
27 Aug 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
Are the 110 Nagpur citizens stranded in Nepal safe?
Yes, all 110 citizens from Nagpur district travelling with the Shri Swami Maharaj group are confirmed safe. They are sheltering at the Maheshwari Samaj facility in Kathmandu and were not affected by the 26 August flash floods.
When will the Nagpur group return from Nepal?
The group departed Kathmandu on 27 August, heading toward Janakpur near the Nepal–India border. They are expected to cross into India early on 28 August and travel to Danapur, Bihar, from where a train to Nagpur is scheduled for 28 August.
How did CM Devendra Fadnavis help the stranded citizens?
Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis personally called Nepal MP Sandeep Rana, who then arranged four local mini-buses to transport the group from Kathmandu to Janakpur. Fadnavis also spoke directly to the stranded citizens and assured them of full government support.
Are other Maharashtra citizens still stranded in Nepal?
Yes, Deputy Chief Minister Eknath Shinde confirmed that several citizens from Satara, Mahabaleshwar, and Pune regions remain stranded in Nepal. Officials are making continuous efforts to contact and repatriate them, including through Shiv Sena workers based in Nepal.
What caused the crisis in Nepal?
A devastating flash flood struck Nepal on 26 August, prompting emergency responses from both the Nepal administration and Indian state governments. Prime Minister Narendra Modi has extended assistance to Nepal at the central level, according to Deputy CM Shinde.
