Nepal floods: 37 of 39 missing West Bengal tourists still untraceable, says CM Adhikari
Synopsis
Thirty-seven of 39 West Bengal tourists remain missing in flood-hit Nepal as of Friday night, with CM Suvendu Adhikari confirming contact with only two — both from Basirhat. The state is now seeking Central clearance to send a cabinet-level team to Kathmandu, underscoring how a natural disaster across the border has become a political and humanitarian emergency for West Bengal.
Key Takeaways
37 of 39 West Bengal tourists missing in Nepal remain untraced as of 28 August .
Two tourists — both from Basirhat sub-division, North 24 Parganas — have been contacted.
CM Suvendu Adhikari held a virtual meeting with families of the missing at Bhabani Bhavan , South Kolkata.
West Bengal has sought permission from the Union Ministry of External Affairs to send a team to Kathmandu .
The proposed team includes a cabinet minister , an IAS officer , and an IGP-rank police officer .
Most of the 39 missing were part of a pilgrimage group arranged by a Kolkata-based tour agency , including two agency staff.
West Bengal Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari on Friday night, 28 August confirmed that two of the 39 tourists from West Bengal reported missing in Nepal amid devastating floods have been contacted, while the remaining 37 are yet to be traced. The Chief Minister made the disclosure after a virtual interaction with families of the missing persons, held at the state police headquarters in South Kolkata.
Who Has Been Contacted
The two tourists who have been reached are from Basirhat sub-division in North 24 Parganas district of West Bengal. No further details about their condition or whereabouts were immediately available. The status of the remaining 37 individuals remains unknown as of Friday night.
Virtual Meeting With Families
The virtual meeting was arranged at Bhabani Bhavan, the state police headquarters in South Kolkata, where Chief Minister Adhikari addressed anxious family members of the missing tourists. 'This is not just the crisis of those families whose members are missing in Nepal. The entire state is worried about this. We are trying our best to bring everyone back safely,' Adhikari told media persons after the interaction.
West Bengal Seeks Centre's Nod to Send Team to Nepal
The state government has sought permission from the Union Ministry of External Affairs to dispatch an official delegation to Kathmandu. According to Adhikari, the proposed team would comprise a state cabinet minister, one secretary-level Indian Administrative Service (IAS) officer, and one police officer of Inspector General of Police (IGP) rank. 'As soon as we get the permission from the Union Ministry of External Affairs, our team will leave for Kathmandu,' the Chief Minister said.
Who Are the Missing Tourists
The majority of the 39 missing persons were reportedly part of a pilgrimage group from West Bengal, travelling on a tour arranged by a Kolkata-based tour operating agency. The group includes two staff members of the tour operator. The tourists had been in Nepal for the last couple of days when the floods struck, cutting off communication and movement.
What Happens Next
The West Bengal government is awaiting clearance from the Centre before it can deploy its rescue and liaison team. The Nepal floods have caused widespread disruption across the Himalayan nation, affecting multiple districts and stranding tourists and pilgrims from several Indian states. The situation remains fluid, and families in West Bengal are being kept updated as new information emerges.
Point of View
The procedural delay, however routine, carries a human cost. The involvement of a Kolkata-based tour operator also raises questions about tourist safety protocols and whether pilgrimage-focused travel agencies operating cross-border routes are adequately prepared for natural disaster contingencies.
NationPress
29 Aug 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
How many West Bengal tourists are missing in Nepal floods?
As of Friday night, 28 August, 37 of the original 39 missing West Bengal tourists remain untraced in flood-hit Nepal. Two tourists from Basirhat sub-division in North 24 Parganas have been contacted.
What has CM Suvendu Adhikari said about the missing tourists?
Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari confirmed that two tourists have been contacted and 37 remain missing. He held a virtual meeting with the families of the missing and said the state government is doing its best to bring everyone back safely.
Is West Bengal sending a team to Nepal?
The West Bengal government has proposed sending a team comprising a cabinet minister, an IAS officer, and an IGP-rank police officer to Kathmandu, but is awaiting permission from the Union Ministry of External Affairs before the team can depart.
Who are the missing tourists from West Bengal?
The majority of the 39 missing persons were reportedly pilgrims travelling on a tour organised by a Kolkata-based tour agency. The group includes two staff members of that agency. Most are from various parts of West Bengal.
Where was the virtual meeting with families held?
The virtual meeting between CM Adhikari and the families of the missing tourists was held at Bhabani Bhavan, the state police headquarters in South Kolkata, on Friday night, 28 August.
