Nepal flood: 290 Indians missing, Naveen Patnaik urges swift rescue
Synopsis
With 290 Indians still out of contact after the Bhote Koshi flash floods, the scale of the crisis is becoming clearer — and for Odisha, it is personal. An Odia couple from Khordha, vacationing from Australia, remains missing, putting a human face on what the MEA's numbers represent. BJD chief Naveen Patnaik's public appeal adds political weight to the demand for faster rescue coordination.
Key Takeaways
The MEA confirmed 290 Indians remain out of contact following flash floods along the Bhote Koshi river in Nepal .
BJD president Naveen Patnaik expressed grief on 27 August and urged authorities to expedite rescue operations.
An Odia couple — Sandeep Mohapatra and Siddharthi Kumari Sahu from Khordha district — is among the missing; they had arrived in Nepal on 22 August .
The couple has been based in Australia since 2018 ; their phone numbers are switched off.
Odisha Minister Suryabanshi Suraj said the full count of affected Odia nationals may take another one to two days to compile.
Indian consular officials are coordinating with Nepali authorities on the ground for identification and rescue.
Biju Janata Dal (BJD) president and Leader of Opposition Naveen Patnaik on Thursday, 27 August expressed deep grief over the deaths caused by catastrophic flash floods and mudslides along the Bhote Koshi river in Nepal, while voicing concern for the 290 Indians still out of contact in the aftermath of the disaster. The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) confirmed the figure on Thursday, underscoring the scale of the humanitarian crisis unfolding in the Himalayan nation.
Patnaik's Appeal and X Post
Taking to his X handle, Patnaik wrote that he was deeply saddened to learn of the deaths and offered condolences to bereaved families. He urged authorities to ensure swift rescue operations and said he was praying for the early recovery of those who remain uncontactable. The appeal came as ground-level coordination between Indian and Nepali officials remained ongoing.
Odia Couple Among the Missing
Among those unaccounted for is an Odia couple — Sandeep Mohapatra and Siddharthi Kumari Sahu — originally from Khordha district, Odisha. The couple, who have been residing in Australia since 2018, arrived in Nepal on 22 August for a vacation and have not been reachable since the floods struck. The state government confirmed their phone numbers are switched off. Officials collected contact details from Mohapatra's sister and shared them with the MEA for necessary action.
Odisha Government's Response
Odisha Youth and Sports Services and Odia Language, Literature and Culture Minister Suryabanshi Suraj said state authorities were actively coordinating with Indian government officials deployed in Nepal to identify and assist Odia nationals and keep their families informed. He noted that the exact number of Odia tourists and others affected had not yet been compiled and may take another day or two to determine.
Scale of the Crisis
The Bhote Koshi flash floods have caused widespread destruction across Nepal, with the disaster leaving a trail of casualties and displacement. The MEA's disclosure that 290 Indians remain out of contact reflects the broader exposure of Indian tourists — many from eastern and southern states — who routinely visit Nepal's river valleys and trekking corridors. This is not the first time Indian nationals have been caught in Nepal's seasonal flood emergencies; the Bhote Koshi corridor has a documented history of deadly cloudbursts during the monsoon.
What Happens Next
Rescue operations in Nepal are continuing, with Indian consular officials on the ground assisting in identification and family notification. The MEA is expected to provide further updates as contact is re-established with stranded nationals. The Odisha government is monitoring the situation closely and will brief families as information becomes available.
Point of View
Not a ceiling — ground realities in Nepal's flood-hit corridors typically mean the number shifts as connectivity is restored or, in worse cases, as bodies are recovered. What is striking is how little institutional preparedness exists for Indian tourists in Nepal's high-risk river zones during peak monsoon. The Bhote Koshi has flooded before; yet there is no systematic early-warning or tourist-registry mechanism. Patnaik's appeal is politically appropriate but the harder question is whether the MEA's consular capacity in Nepal is scaled to a 290-person emergency — or whether it is still operating on peacetime staffing.
NationPress
28 Aug 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
How many Indians are missing after the Nepal Bhote Koshi floods?
The Ministry of External Affairs confirmed on 27 August that 290 Indians remain out of contact following the flash floods and mudslides along the Bhote Koshi river in Nepal. Indian consular officials are on the ground coordinating rescue and identification efforts.
Who is the Odia couple missing in Nepal?
The missing couple is Sandeep Mohapatra and Siddharthi Kumari Sahu, originally from Khordha district in Odisha. They have been living in Australia since 2018 and arrived in Nepal on 22 August for a vacation before the floods struck.
What did Naveen Patnaik say about the Nepal floods?
BJD president Naveen Patnaik posted on X on 27 August expressing deep grief over the loss of lives and offering condolences to bereaved families. He urged authorities to ensure swift rescue operations and said he was praying for the early recovery of those uncontactable.
What is the Odisha government doing to help its nationals in Nepal?
Odisha Minister Suryabanshi Suraj said state authorities are coordinating with Indian officials deployed in Nepal to identify and assist Odia nationals and inform their families. Details of the missing Odia couple have been shared with the MEA; a full count of affected Odia tourists may take one to two more days.
Why is the Bhote Koshi river particularly dangerous during monsoon?
The Bhote Koshi river corridor in Nepal has a documented history of deadly cloudbursts and flash floods during the monsoon season. The combination of steep Himalayan terrain and high seasonal rainfall makes it prone to sudden mudslides and flooding, posing serious risk to tourists in the region.
