12 Assam residents untraced in Nepal flash flood: CM Sarma
Synopsis
Assam CM Himanta Biswa Sarma has named 12 residents — from Karbi Anglong to Guwahati — who remain untraced after Nepal's flash floods. With families in multiple districts awaiting word, the state government is racing to establish contact and coordinate a safe rescue across the border.
Key Takeaways
Assam CM Himanta Biswa Sarma confirmed 12 people from Assam are untraced in Nepal following a flash flood.
The list of missing persons was prepared on 28 August and shared publicly by the Chief Minister on X .
Missing individuals belong to districts including Karbi Anglong , Golaghat , Hojai , Kamrup Metropolitan , and Nalbari .
Named missing persons include Rhituopurno Brahma , Montri Basumatary , Soneswar Narzary , Rahul Daimary , Shatadal Nath , Tirtha Chaliha , and others.
The Assam government is coordinating rescue and communication efforts with authorities in Nepal.
Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma on Saturday, 29 August confirmed that 12 people from Assam remain untraced in Nepal following a devastating flash flood in the neighbouring country. The state government has identified the missing individuals and is actively coordinating rescue and communication efforts.
Who Is Missing
According to the list prepared on 28 August and shared by Chief Minister Sarma, the untraced persons hail from several districts across Assam, including Karbi Anglong, Golaghat, Hojai, Kamrup Metropolitan, and Nalbari.
Three of those listed — Rhituopurno Brahma, Montri Basumatary, and Soneswar Narzary — are residents of Daidak village under Dokmoka police station in Karbi Anglong district. Rahul Daimary of Jaipukhuri under Merapani police station in Golaghat district and Shatadal Nath of Doboka in Hojai district are also among those whose whereabouts remain unknown.
From Guwahati, those reported untraced include Pankaj Naug of Rukmini Gaon and Dipali Sarkar and Manash Kr Ghosh of Lankeshwar. Pankaj Barman, Arun Mahanta, and Samar Bezbaruah from Nalbari are also on the list, along with Tirtha Chaliha of Nalbari Medical College and Hospital.
What the Government Said
In a post on X, Chief Minister Sarma stated: 'Efforts are underway to establish contact with them and safely rescue them.' The Assam government said it has compiled the list of affected individuals and is working to establish communication with each of them.
Officials are also coordinating with authorities to facilitate the safe return of the missing persons, as the situation remains a matter of deep concern for families across the state.
Background and Context
Flash floods in Nepal periodically affect Indian nationals, particularly those from northeastern states who travel to Nepal for pilgrimage, tourism, or work. This incident underscores the vulnerability of cross-border travellers during the monsoon season, when Nepal's river systems are prone to sudden and severe flooding. The Assam government's swift identification of the missing — within days of the incident — reflects a more coordinated inter-state response compared to past such emergencies.
What Happens Next
Authorities are continuing efforts to locate all 12 individuals and establish contact with their families. The situation is being closely monitored, and officials have indicated that updates will be shared as rescue operations progress.
Point of View
But identification is not rescue. The harder question is what diplomatic and logistical channels Assam — a state government — can actually activate in a foreign country. Nepal's flash flood season is far from over, and the pattern of Indian nationals going untraced across the border recurs annually with little systemic improvement. A state-level list shared on X is a starting point; what is missing is a visible Centre-to-Nepal coordination mechanism that goes beyond social media updates.
NationPress
29 Aug 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
Who are the 12 people from Assam untraced in Nepal?
The 12 untraced individuals are residents of Karbi Anglong, Golaghat, Hojai, Kamrup Metropolitan (Guwahati), and Nalbari districts in Assam. Named persons include Rhituopurno Brahma, Montri Basumatary, Soneswar Narzary, Rahul Daimary, Shatadal Nath, Pankaj Naug, Dipali Sarkar, Manash Kr Ghosh, Pankaj Barman, Arun Mahanta, Samar Bezbaruah, and Tirtha Chaliha.
What caused the flash flood in Nepal that left Assam residents missing?
A flash flood struck Nepal, leaving several Indian nationals — including 12 identified residents of Assam — untraced. Flash floods are common in Nepal during the monsoon season due to the rapid rise of river levels in mountainous terrain.
What is the Assam government doing to find the missing persons?
The Assam government has compiled a list of the 12 missing individuals and is coordinating efforts to establish contact with them and facilitate their safe rescue, according to Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma's statement on 29 August.
When was the list of missing Assam residents prepared?
The list was prepared on 28 August and was publicly shared by Chief Minister Sarma on 29 August via a post on X, along with details of the missing persons' home districts and villages.
Which districts in Assam do the missing persons belong to?
The missing persons are from Karbi Anglong, Golaghat, Hojai, Kamrup Metropolitan (Guwahati), and Nalbari — spanning both rural and urban parts of the state.
