Nepal floods: 169 Indian nationals rescued, 275 still unaccounted for
Synopsis
With 275 Indians still unaccounted for after Nepal's devastating flash floods, India's rescue and relief operation has reached a critical scale — 169 nationals evacuated, 95 tonnes of supplies airlifted, and 54 specialists on the ground. The rescue of a five-year-old from Trishuli Bazaar underscores the human cost still unfolding.
Key Takeaways
169 Indian nationals have been rescued from flood-hit Nepal as of 8:30 pm, 4 September .
Three more rescued from Trishuli Bazaar , including five-year-old Samarth Abhijit Pawar ; Indian Embassy arranging their return by air.
India has airlifted approximately 95 tonnes of relief material on seven aircraft and deployed 54 personnel , including tunnel rescue and forensic experts.
275 Indian nationals remain unaccounted for; 1,907 have crossed safely into Nepal from China.
No Indian travellers are currently stranded in the Tibet Autonomous Region , according to official Chinese sources.
India plans to send additional forensic kits , Bailey bridges , and other requested materials in the coming days.
The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) confirmed on Friday, 4 September that 169 Indian nationals have been rescued so far from flood-hit Nepal, with three more — including a five-year-old child — evacuated from Trishuli Bazaar since the previous day. The rescues come after devastating flash floods struck the Himalayan nation last week, triggering a large-scale Indian relief operation.
Latest Rescues from Trishuli Bazaar
The three newly rescued nationals have been identified as Abhijit Suresh Pawar, Dipika Abhijit Pawar, and Samarth Abhijit Pawar, aged five years. According to the MEA's update posted on social media platform X at 8:30 pm on Friday, the Indian Embassy in Nepal is facilitating their return to India by air.
India's Relief Operation: Scale and Scope
India has dispatched approximately 95 tonnes of relief material across seven aircraft to Nepal since the floods began. Alongside the supplies, 54 personnel have been deployed on the ground, comprising 30 tunnel rescue experts, 19 forensic experts, and a five-member medical team. These teams are working in close coordination with Nepalese authorities.
MEA spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal, addressing a bi-weekly press briefing in New Delhi on Friday, said India intends to send additional forensic kits, Bailey bridges, and other materials as requested by the Nepalese government in the coming days. 'We will continue to provide assistance as per the requirements of the Nepal government,' Jaiswal said.
275 Indians Still Unaccounted For
Despite the ongoing rescue efforts, 275 Indian nationals remain unaccounted for, according to Jaiswal. Separately, 1,907 Indian nationals have crossed safely into Nepal from China. Jaiswal also noted that, according to official Chinese sources, no Indian travellers are currently stranded in the Tibet Autonomous Region.
What Comes Next
India's Embassy in Kathmandu continues to coordinate evacuations, with air transfers being prioritised for rescued nationals. The MEA has indicated that relief dispatches will be calibrated to Nepal's evolving needs, with Bailey bridges — critical for restoring connectivity in landslide-prone terrain — among the priority items. The situation remains fluid, and the number of unaccounted nationals is expected to change as communication links in affected areas are restored.
Point of View
Specialised tunnel and forensic teams, and active embassy-led evacuations. Yet with 275 nationals still unaccounted for, the operation is far from over. The inclusion of forensic experts is a telling signal: authorities are preparing for the possibility that not all missing persons will be found alive. What this moment also reveals is the structural vulnerability of Indian travellers in high-altitude Nepal, where communication blackouts during disasters can delay rescue by critical hours. A bilateral early-warning protocol for Indian nationals in disaster-prone Himalayan zones is conspicuously absent from the public conversation.
NationPress
5 Sept 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
How many Indian nationals have been rescued from Nepal floods so far?
As of 8:30 pm on 4 September, a total of 169 Indian nationals have been rescued from flood-affected Nepal. Three more were evacuated from Trishuli Bazaar on Friday, including a five-year-old child.
How many Indians are still unaccounted for in Nepal?
According to MEA spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal, 275 Indian nationals remain unaccounted for as of 4 September. Rescue and relief teams are actively working with Nepalese authorities to locate them.
What relief has India sent to Nepal after the floods?
India has dispatched approximately 95 tonnes of relief material on seven aircraft, along with 54 personnel comprising 30 tunnel rescue experts, 19 forensic experts, and a five-member medical team. Additional forensic kits and Bailey bridges are planned for dispatch in the coming days.
Who are the three Indians rescued from Trishuli Bazaar?
The three nationals rescued from Trishuli Bazaar are Abhijit Suresh Pawar, Dipika Abhijit Pawar, and their five-year-old son Samarth Abhijit Pawar. The Indian Embassy in Nepal is facilitating their return to India by air.
Are any Indian travellers stranded in Tibet after the Nepal floods?
According to official Chinese sources cited by MEA spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal, no Indian travellers are currently stranded in the Tibet Autonomous Region. Separately, 1,907 Indian nationals have crossed safely into Nepal from China.
