India rescue team joins Nepali Army at Chilime, Langtang tunnel sites
Synopsis
India's tunnel rescue team breached a flooded Langtang hydroelectric tunnel and retrieved mortal remains — while a 19-member forensics unit began DNA identification work in Kathmandu and a fourth relief flight delivered 11 tonnes of supplies. With 500 Indian nationals still on the China side, India's Nepal response has rapidly expanded from aid drops to specialised forensic and rescue operations.
Key Takeaways
An Indian tunnel rescue team joined the Nepali Army at Chilime and Langtang hydropower tunnel sites on 30 August .
The team entered a tunnel near the Langtang hydroelectric project and retrieved the mortal remains of one person despite inclement weather.
A 19-member Indian forensics team began DNA analysis operations in Kathmandu to identify flood victims.
403 Indian nationals have safely crossed from China into Nepal; 500 remain on the China side and are reported safe.
The fourth Indian relief flight delivered 11 tonnes of supplies — including blankets, sleeping bags, tarpaulins, and hygiene kits — to Kathmandu.
An Indian tunnel rescue team on Sunday, 30 August joined the Nepali Army to conduct search and rescue operations at hydropower tunnel sites in the Chilime and Langtang areas of Nepal, the Indian Embassy in Kathmandu confirmed. The joint operation marks a significant escalation of India's on-ground relief effort following the catastrophic floods that have devastated parts of Nepal.
Tunnel Operations and Breakthrough
The Indian rescue team worked alongside Nepali Army personnel at hydropower tunnel sites in Chilime and Langtang, with operations continuing through adverse weather. In a significant development, the team was able to enter a tunnel near the Langtang hydroelectric project and retrieve the mortal remains of one person despite inclement conditions. The team is continuing support operations near the Langtang site, according to the Indian Embassy.
'The tunnel rescue team from India worked with the Nepali Army's team to conduct search and rescue operations at hydropower tunnel sites in Chilime and Langtang area today. The team will continue to conduct search and rescue operations in close coordination with the Nepali Army,' the Indian Embassy said in a post on social media platform X.
Forensics Team Begins Work in Kathmandu
Separately, a 19-member specialised forensics team from India began functioning in Kathmandu on Sunday. According to the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA), the team is tasked with augmenting DNA sample analysis in Nepal to help identify the mortal remains of flood victims.
Ambassador of India to Nepal Naveen Srivastava met and briefed the forensics team. The experts subsequently held discussions with counterparts at Nepal Police's Central Forensic Science Laboratory in Kathmandu and the Forensics Department of Tribhuvan University Teaching Hospital.
Indian Nationals Stranded on China Side
As of 9:30 pm IST on Sunday, 403 Indian nationals had safely crossed into Nepal from China, according to local government sources on the China side cited by the MEA. However, 500 Indian nationals still remain on the China side, though officials noted they are safe. The cross-border movement has been closely monitored amid the ongoing disruption caused by the floods.
Fourth Relief Flight Lands in Kathmandu
The fourth Indian relief flight carrying 11 tonnes of supplies landed in Kathmandu on Sunday, with materials handed over to Nepali authorities. The consignment included a tunnel technical team equipped with search-and-rescue equipment, a forensic experts team for DNA analysis, blankets, sleeping bags, tarpaulins, plastic sheets, and hygiene kits.
This comes amid a broader Indian humanitarian response that has seen multiple flights, specialised rescue units, and diplomatic coordination deployed in quick succession. Notably, this is the fourth consecutive relief flight since the floods struck, underscoring the scale of India's bilateral commitment to Nepal during the crisis.
What Comes Next
Search operations at the Chilime and Langtang hydropower tunnel sites are expected to continue, with the Indian team remaining in close coordination with the Nepali Army. The forensics team's DNA analysis work in Kathmandu will be critical to identifying victims and providing closure to affected families. The situation of the 500 Indian nationals still on the China side will remain a key diplomatic and logistical priority in the days ahead.
Point of View
Joint military search ops, and DNA identification infrastructure, all within days. The retrieval of mortal remains from the Langtang tunnel, despite bad weather, will matter enormously to grieving families — and to the optics of India as Nepal's most reliable first responder. The 500 Indian nationals still on the China side remain the most sensitive unresolved thread, and how quickly they are repatriated will test the diplomatic bandwidth of both New Delhi and Beijing.
NationPress
30 Aug 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the Indian tunnel rescue team doing in Nepal?
The Indian tunnel rescue team is conducting joint search and rescue operations with the Nepali Army at hydropower tunnel sites in Chilime and Langtang. On 30 August, the team entered a tunnel near the Langtang hydroelectric project and retrieved the mortal remains of one person despite difficult weather conditions.
What is the 19-member Indian forensics team doing in Kathmandu?
The 19-member specialised forensics team from India began operations in Kathmandu on 30 August to help analyse DNA samples and identify the mortal remains of flood victims. The team held discussions with Nepal Police's Central Forensic Science Laboratory and Tribhuvan University Teaching Hospital's Forensics Department.
How many Indian nationals are still stranded on the China side?
As of 9:30 pm on Sunday, 30 August, 500 Indian nationals remain on the China side of the Nepal border, according to the Ministry of External Affairs. Officials noted they are safe, while 403 others have already crossed into Nepal.
What relief supplies has India sent to Nepal so far?
India has dispatched four relief flights to Nepal, with the fourth carrying 11 tonnes of supplies including blankets, sleeping bags, tarpaulins, plastic sheets, and hygiene kits. The flights have also transported specialised tunnel rescue personnel and forensic experts.
Why are tunnel sites in Chilime and Langtang significant in the Nepal floods?
The Chilime and Langtang areas house hydropower tunnel infrastructure that was affected by the catastrophic floods in Nepal. Rescue teams are searching these tunnels for survivors and the remains of victims, making them a critical focus of the ongoing joint India-Nepal relief operation.
