Political leaders across party lines in India on Friday, 28 August raised urgent concern over the catastrophic floods in Nepal, calling on the Centre to intensify rescue and relief operations for Indians stranded in the neighbouring country. With over 400 people reported dead and around 1,000 missing — including a significant number of Indian nationals — the disaster has drawn a rare show of cross-party solidarity.

Key Developments

Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) Maharashtra MLA Ram Kadam underscored India's historical responsibility toward its neighbours, flagging the plight of Indian pilgrims caught in the crisis. 'Protecting one’s neighbour and supporting one’s neighbour in times of crisis has been a tradition in India since ancient times. Many Indians also went there for the Kailash Yatra and are stranded,' he said, adding that Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis had personally spoken with those affected to coordinate their return.

Union Minister Ramdas Athawale confirmed that rescue and relief operations were already underway, noting that tourists from Maharashtra and other parts of India were among those stranded. Shiv Sena-UBT MP Sanjay Raut urged the Centre to mount large-scale assistance, stating that more than 60 people from Maharashtra were missing. 'The Government of India must step in and provide large-scale assistance to rescue and support everyone — not just our citizens, but all the people of Nepal,' Raut said.

Opposition Voices Unite on Relief Demand

Congress Uttar Pradesh President Ajay Rai called the situation 'very unfortunate' and urged the Government of India to dispatch as much relief material as possible. Congress MP Imran Masood expressed concern over reports of a possible second flood wave, reportedly linked to a Chinese alert about further flooding in Nepal.

Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (DMK) spokesperson T.K.S. Elangovan confirmed that party MP Dayanidhi Maran had already written to the External Affairs Minister, urging the government to locate unaccounted individuals and take necessary action. 'Nepal is another country and not part of India, so the External Affairs Ministry has to intervene and do something,' Elangovan said.

All India Trinamool Congress (TMC) MP Sougata Ray raised particular concern over the Bengal contingent, stating that more than 300 people from West Bengal were reportedly unaccounted for. 'It is still not clear how many people have lost their lives. Many Indian citizens are stranded there, and their families have not been able to receive any information about them,' he said.

Indian Army and Air Force Praised for Response

Shiv Sena-UBT spokesperson Anand Dubey praised the Indian Army and Indian Air Force for their ongoing relief and rescue operations, while also noting the deep familial and economic ties between India and Nepal. West Bengal Minister Shankar Ghosh said coordinated efforts were being made to reach Indian tourists and pilgrims who had travelled to Nepal for religious purposes, including visits to Manas.

Grief and Calls for Accountability

Samajwadi Party spokesperson Fakhrul Hasan Chand expressed deep grief over the deaths and conveyed condolences to the families of victims. He also raised concerns over reports suggesting Nepal may not have received adequate advance warning of the disaster — a claim that, if verified, could raise serious questions about regional disaster-preparedness coordination.

As the death toll climbs and hundreds remain unaccounted for, pressure is mounting on the Centre to deploy additional resources and ensure consular outreach to all affected Indian nationals. The scale of the tragedy — and the breadth of political voices demanding action — signals that the Nepal flood crisis has become an urgent diplomatic and humanitarian priority for New Delhi.