Nepal floods: 88 Indian nationals rescued, 120 cross from China as MEA steps up response
Synopsis
India’s rescue effort in flood-hit Nepal is now a multi-front operation — 88 nationals retrieved, 120 more crossing in from China, and specialist tunnel rescue and forensic DNA teams on the ground. Yet 287 Indians remain missing, and the deployment of forensic experts signals that the disaster has crossed from rescue into recovery territory.
Key Takeaways
88 Indian nationals have been rescued from Nepal as of 29 August 2026 , with four newly identified: Ripu Kumar , Chaneshwar Narzary , Kripa Shankar , and Mohammed Minhajuddin .
120 Indian nationals crossed into Nepal from China on Saturday.
287 Indian nationals and 128 persons of Indian origin remain missing as of 5 pm, 29 August 2026 .
A six-member forensic team from India is en route to Kathmandu to assist in DNA identification of mortal remains.
A specialised tunnel rescue team with equipment is expected to reach Nepal on Saturday following initial reconnaissance.
Nepal President Ramchandra Paudel thanked President Droupadi Murmu for India’s support and condoled the loss of Indian lives.
The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) on Saturday, 29 August 2026 confirmed that four more Indian nationals have been rescued from a hydropower project in Rasuwa, Nepal, raising the total number of rescued Indians to 88. Separately, 120 Indian nationals crossed into Nepal from China on the same day, as India's multi-pronged rescue and relief effort gained momentum.
The Latest Rescues
The MEA identified the four newly rescued individuals as Ripu Kumar, Chaneshwar Narzary, Kripa Shankar, and Mohammed Minhajuddin. All four were recovered from the hydropower project site in Rasuwa, a district in northern Nepal that bore the brunt of the devastating flash floods that struck on 26 August 2026.
Despite the progress, 287 Indian nationals remain missing as of 5 pm on Saturday, along with 128 persons of Indian origin, according to the MEA. The scale of the missing persons count underscores the continued urgency of the operation.
India Deploys Forensic and Tunnel Rescue Teams
A six-member forensic experts team from India is expected to arrive in Kathmandu on Saturday to assist in the analysis of DNA samples for identification of mortal remains — a step that indicates the disaster has claimed lives whose identities are yet to be formally confirmed.
A specialised technical team for tunnel rescue reconnaissance reached Kathmandu on Friday and began operations on Saturday. “A specialised tunnel rescue team from India with equipment is expected to reach Nepal today,” the MEA stated, based on the technical team’s initial recommendations. This is a significant escalation in India’s on-ground commitment, moving beyond diplomatic coordination to direct technical intervention.
Nepal President Thanks India
Nepal President Ramchandra Paudel on Saturday expressed gratitude to President Droupadi Murmu for India’s support following the catastrophic floods. “On behalf of the Government and the people of Nepal, I extend our deepest gratitude to Your Excellency Smt Droupadi Murmu for your kind concern and also for the generous support and solidarity extended by your government following the recent calamity in Nepal,” the Office of the President of Nepal posted on X.
President Paudel also conveyed condolences over the loss of Indian lives, stating: “We also offer our heartfelt condolences and profound sympathy to the Government and the people of India for the tragic loss of Indian lives in the disaster of August 26, 2026.”
What Comes Next
With hundreds still unaccounted for and tunnel rescue operations now formally underway, the coming days will be critical. The deployment of forensic teams signals that recovery efforts are running in parallel with active rescue — a grim but necessary dual-track approach. India’s response, spanning evacuation corridors through China, forensic support, and tunnel rescue expertise, represents one of the most operationally complex consular rescue missions in recent memory.
Point of View
Forensic DNA teams, and evacuation corridors through China running simultaneously. But the 287 still-missing figure, paired with the arrival of forensic experts, suggests the government is quietly preparing for the worst even as official messaging stays focused on rescue. The hydropower project angle also deserves scrutiny: Indian workers in Nepal’s infrastructure sector operate in a regulatory grey zone, and this disaster may prompt a long-overdue review of safety and consular protocols for Indian labour in high-risk overseas projects.
NationPress
29 Aug 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
How many Indian nationals have been rescued from Nepal floods so far?
As of 29 August 2026 , a total of 88 Indian nationals have been rescued, including four newly recovered individuals from a hydropower project in Rasuwa, Nepal . The MEA confirmed the identities of the latest four as Ripu Kumar, Chaneshwar Narzary, Kripa Shankar, and Mohammed Minhajuddin.
How many Indian nationals are still missing in Nepal?
According to the MEA, 287 Indian nationals and 128 persons of Indian origin remain missing as of 5 pm on Saturday, 29 August 2026 . Search and rescue operations are ongoing.
Why is India sending a forensic team to Nepal?
India is deploying a six-member forensic experts team to Kathmandu to assist in analysing DNA samples for the identification of mortal remains recovered from the flood-affected areas. This indicates that some victims have been found but cannot yet be formally identified.
What is the tunnel rescue team being sent to Nepal for?
A specialised tunnel rescue team from India, along with equipment, is being dispatched to Nepal following a reconnaissance mission by a technical team that arrived in Kathmandu on Friday. The team is focused on reaching survivors potentially trapped in tunnels at the hydropower project site in Rasuwa.
How did Nepal respond to India’s relief efforts?
Nepal President Ramchandra Paudel formally thanked President Droupadi Murmu and the Indian government for their support, posting the message through the Office of the President of Nepal on X. He also conveyed condolences for the Indian lives lost in the disaster of 26 August 2026 .
