Nepal flash floods: At least 288 Indians still missing; MEA says focus is on providing humanitarian aid as per Kathmandu’s request

In a “preliminary assessment” of the situation following the flash flood in Nepal, the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) on Thursday (August 27, 2026) said at least 290 Indian nationals remain “uncontactable”.

On India’s support to Nepal as it deals with the disaster, which has killed at least 359 people in the country, MEA official spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal said, “The second consignment of 37.5 tonnes of HADR (humanitarian assistance and disaster relief) material, medicines and food packets has been handed over to Mr. Mahabir Pun, Minister for Science, Technology and Innovation, to support Nepal’s flood relief and rescue efforts. India remains committed to standing by Nepal and its people."

India had sent an aircraft carrying relief materials on Wednesday (August 26, 2026). Mr. Jaiswal said additional support would be extended.

On Thursday afternoon, Mr. Jaiswal said that two separate groups, comprising 37 and 49 people from Tamil Nadu who travelled to Kailash Manasarovar, were among the 288 Indians who could not be contacted. Later, the number was revised to 290. Giving a tentative breakdown of the Indians who remain unaccounted for so far, he said, “There is a group of 32 nationals from West Bengal who travelled with the help of Samrat Travels in Timure, which is in Rasuwa district, where this disaster happened. Then, a group of 61 Indian nationals from different States who travelled through Richa Tours, and then a group of 33 Indian nationals from Kerala.”

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He said that as rescued people return to Kathmandu, arrangements would be made to facilitate their journey home.

Officials said that 63 Indian nationals employed in the Trishuli-1 project and 21 Indians from Tamil Nadu have been rescued, while the search is on to locate those who have not been heard from for over 24 hours. The situation in the disaster-hit zone from Rasuwa to Chitwan is difficult to assess because of the absence of a stable telecom network, which was disrupted by the flash flood, officials said, expressing hope that more people would be located in the coming hours.

As part of the ongoing process, External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar held a review meeting with Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri and other senior officials of the MEA on Thursday (August 27, 2026). The meeting was also attended through video link by the Indian ambassador to Nepal, Naveen Shrivastava, and the Indian ambassador to Beijing, Vikram Doraiswamy.

“Urgent efforts are underway to ascertain the status and well-being of all Indians in the flood-affected areas,” said Mr. Jaishankar, adding that India is "working closely with the Nepali side”.

Meanwhile, family members of several of those unaccounted for so far have taken to social media to express their concern. Government sources said efforts are underway to account for those who remain “uncontactable”.